Dubai: The Ministry of Energy and Industry has issued a warning against camping in wadi areas due to a risk of flash floods.
The warning comes a day after the emirates of Sharjah, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah witnessed heavy rain that caused flash floods in wadis and dams.
• Heavy rain floods wadis around Jebel Jais in RAK
The unstable weather is expected to continue until October 31, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). Convective clouds are expected to move westward and affect coastal areas, as well as along the interior areas by Monday and Tuesday.
On Sunday, Fujairah Port witnessed the most amount of rainfall in 24 hours since 1977 at 102.8mm, while the highest cumulative amount was recorded in the Shuwaib region at 94mm.
The NCM also recorded various intensities of rain in Al Manama at 34.6mm, Hatta at 29mm, Al Farfar at 23mm, Jebel Al Habban at 18.3mm, Khorfakkan at 5.8mm, Sir Bani Yas at 1.4mm, Umm Al Quwain at 0.4mm and Jebel Mebreh at 0.2mm.
In a statement, the ministry of energy urged residents to follow the safety instructions issued by the official weather bureau while the countrys weather continues to be unstable.
The Ministry of Energy and Industry also confirmed that Wadi Siji remained intact after a video of the flooded dam went viral on social media.
انهيار ساتر رملي قديم وسط مجرى #وادي_سيجي.
وسد سيجي يمتلئ بالمياه ويفيض إلى المزارع في حدث لأول مرة منذ أكثر من عشرين عاماً.
(القبة السماوية)#الشارقة24 pic.twitter.com/ENVh5prOJJ— الشارقة24 (@sharjah24) October 28, 2018
The authority reiterated on its Twitter account that the wadi was not damaged by Sundays torrential rainfall, and pointed out that a team will carry out a round-the-clock inspection to monitor and evaluate the site.
Wadi Siji was described by Fujairah Tourism as “the oldest dam in the UAE”.
Standing at 10m high and 500m wide, the wadi can store up to 1,200,000 cubic metres of water and is located 49 kilometres north of Fujariah.
Residents were also warned that camping is not allowed during the UAE rainy season and to evacuate wadis as soon as loud sounds of water can be heard flowing from the mountain valley.
#Warning : for your safety .. Camping in the valleys is not allowed . #UAE #Winter #rains #MOEI— وزارة الطاقةوالصناعة (@MOEIUAE) October 28, 2018
Warning: If the sky is overcast and the rumbling sound of water is heard from the high mountains, you must leave the valley as soon as possible to avoid the sudden flood. #UAE #winter #Dams— وزارة الطاقةوالصناعة (@MOEIUAE) October 28, 2018
Sharjah Municipality announced that it has also started preparations for the rainy season and urged residents to call the hotline number 993 to report any complaints.
It called on all residents and visitors to follow these safety precautions while driving in the rain:
- Be vigilant
- Avoid flooded areas
- Drive with caution and attention
- Not to take pictures of the rain or the scenery.
