UAE weather: NCEMA issues stay-at-home advisory for residents

Image: Getty Images/ Karim Shahib

In light of the heavy rains lashing parts of the UAE, the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) has asked residents to stay home to ensure their safety.

The circular issued on the authority’s page on X, the social media platform (formerly Twitter), advised residents to stay indoors and go out only in cases of “extreme necessity”.

NCEMA shared guidelines included parking vehicles at elevated positions away from areas prone to flooding, streams and water accumulation. It advised people to take preventive measures to protect their properties from hail.

It also urged residents to not pay heed to rumours and to get all the information they needed from official sources.

#NCEMA emphasizes the importance of staying at home and adhering to safety guidelines during the weather condition and obtaining information from official sources. #YourSafetyYourResponsibility. pic.twitter.com/3NCefbn5tm

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) April 16, 2024

Weather conditions to continue until Wednesday

Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other parts of the UAE were hit by rain accompanied by thunder and lightning, starting in the early hours of Tuesday morning, April 16.

The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has forecasted unstable weather, including rain, thunder, lightning, and hail, until midday on Wednesday.

Public schools across the UAE have moved to remote learning on Tuesday, April 16 and Wednesday, April 17 in anticipation of heavy rainfall.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) also issued a statement urging private-sector companies to take precautions in outdoor work environments.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, also issued a directive a day earlier, announcing Tuesday, 16 April as a remote working day for employees of all Dubai government entities due to climate conditions. This applies to all government employees in Dubai, except for roles that need on-site presence at the workplace.