On Wednesday, today, 17 April, the weather in the UAE remains cloudy, with reports of light rain in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah during the early morning hours. The country experienced its heaviest rainfall on record in the past 24 hours, according to National Centre for Meteorology (NCM). However, there is a sigh of relief for residents as the intensity of rainfall is expected to decrease significantly today. Although some areas may still experience rainfall, the overall weather is predicted to be partly cloudy.
The NCM forecasts convective clouds to develop over coastal areas in the morning, leading to rainfall. These clouds will then move towards Eastern and Northern regions, with a gradual decrease in cloud cover expected by noon. Humidity levels are expected to rise during Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, particularly in internal and coastal areas.
Winds are expected to be light to moderate, occasionally freshening and leading to blowing dust in certain areas. Temperature-wise, the maximum temperature will range between 29°C to 33°C, with coastal areas experiencing highs between 27°C to 31°C and mountainous regions between 19°C to 24°C.
Flights Cancelled, Delayed, Remote Education And Working Continues
The last 24 hours in the UAE have been challenging, and today, Wednesday, 17 April, varied measures are being taken to ensure the safety of remote learning and remote working.
Etihad Airways Issues Travel Advisory
Because of the adverse weather, particularly heavy rain in Abu Dhabi on 17 April, Etihad Airways mentioned in a statement that some of their flights might experience delays.
"Guests are advised to regularly check Etihad's website for for the latest information about their flight departure and allow plenty of time to travel to the airport. Etihad will be working closely with guests affected by any disruption to assist them with changes to their itineraries and to reach their final destination.The safety and comfort of our guests and crew is our number one priority and we regret any inconvenience caused," added the statement.
Travel Advice For Passengers Travelling To Dubai International Airport
Heavy rainfall has caused disruption at Dubai International Airport (DXB), leading to flooding and road closures. Passengers are advised to check their flight status with the airline before travelling and to allocate extra time for their journey due to limited transport options.
Remote Working And Learning Announced Across UAE
Dubai schools, nurseries, and universities have received instructions from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) to remain closed on Wednesday, 17 April, and continue with distance learning. This decision comes as a precaution due to ongoing storms in Dubai, prioritising the safety of parents, staff, and students.
Dubai Government has extended remote work for public sector employees until Wednesday, 17 April. Additionally, private schools in Dubai have been instructed to continue remote learning today, 17 April. Private sector companies are encouraged to implement remote work policies today, 17 April and prioritise safety measures for all employees.
Ras Al Khaimah Executive Council has declared that government employees in the emirate will continue remote work on 17 April due to prevailing weather conditions. Certain jobs necessitating physical presence at the workplace, as determined by relevant authorities within each government department, are exempted from this directive.
Similarly, the Fujairah Government has announced the continuation of remote work for its government employees on 17 April due to adverse weather conditions. Jobs requiring in-person attendance, as determined by relevant authorities within each government department, are exempt from this arrangement.
The Ajman Department of Human Resources announced that remote work will continue on 17 April for Ajman government employees due to the ongoing weather conditions. However, jobs requiring presence at the workplace, as determined by the relevant authority within each government department, are excluded, according to the announcement.