Non-stop rainfall in UAE breaks 27-year record
The UAE has recorded its highest amount of rainfall in 27 years, the National Centre of Meteorology has said.
After two days of incessant rains, Fujairah’s port station recorded 255.2mm of water, which is the highest in the UAE during the month of July.
The second highest was recorded in Masafi which was 209.7mm and the third highest was noted in Fujairah Airport with 187.9 mm of rain.
Dr Ahmed Habib from the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) on Thursday told Khaleej Times, “We have low pressure coming from India with upper and surface air depression also extending from parts of Pakistan and Iran. The UAE experienced the low-pressure effect on July 25 and 26 especially in the Eastern part of the country.
“Low pressure was again experienced in the UAE on July 27 and the air was filled with heavy moisture that was coming from the sea of Oman. In the mountains, in the Eastern part of the UAE, the sky has been interspersed with convective rainy clouds. These clouds are hovering especially in the Eastern part of the UAE in Fujairah and Ras-al-Khaimah. Therefore, areas in the east as well as in the north are experiencing the presence of these clouds.”
He added, “There are two factors (double effect) now…the local effect as well as the low pressure. This is leading to heavy continuous rains. We recorded high rainfall, especially in Fujairah. All the areas have recorded heavy rains this year, but it is especially Fujairah that has seen a lot of rain… 255.2mm of rain was recorded in Fujairah port station. This is the highest amount of rainfall in 27 years.”
Earlier, waterfalls gushed down mountain slopes and vehicles waded through water-clogged streets.
Lightning flashed through dark clouds as heavy rains lashed six emirates on Wednesday with temperatures dipping to lows of 17°C amid peak summer.
