Dubai announces distance learning for all private schools on Thursday and Friday
Distance learning has been announced for all private schools in Dubai on Thursday and Friday due to expected extreme weather.
Heavy rainfall, thunder and lightning are forecast for parts of the UAE this week.
“With unstable weather predicted, all Dubai private schools, nurseries, and universities must offer distance learning on Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3,” the Knowledge and Human Development Authority posted on X.
The National Centre of Meteorology said stormy weather would hit parts of the country from Wednesday night until Thursday evening.
“[There will be] moderate to heavy rain in scattered areas with lightning and thunder at times, with the possibility of some hail, starting in the west on Wednesday night and extending over most regions of the country on Thursday,” the NCM said, according to state news agency Wam.
The NCM also said winds would reach speeds of 65kph on Thursday.
The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority has held meetings to prepare for the expected weather.
The authority said, on X, that it was “studying and evaluating the weather conditions and their implications for areas that may be affected”.
Strict adherence to safety protocols was essential, said NCEMA, especially in areas prone to heavy rainfall.
But NCM meteorologist Esraa Al-Naqbi told The National the current weather affecting the country is typical and does not compare with the storm that wreaked havoc in April.
She said that, in contrast, the weather is just a single wave beginning on Wednesday evening which is set to cover the entire country on Thursday. It has been classified as moderate while the previous storm was considered moderate to strong.
News of the expected heavy rain comes as the UAE recovers from stormy weather on April 16, which brought much of the country to a standstill.
Heavy rain hits Dubai and Abu Dhabi – in pictures
Workers cut down a tree that was uprooted by the storm in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
A vehicle submerged on a waterlogged road in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
A fence is blown over during the storm in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Vehicles splash through the Dubai – Abu Dhabi motorway during the heavy rain in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
A vehicle drives through a flooded road on a wet day in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Two men navigate Dubai’s flooded roads on a raft made from gas cylinders. Antonie Robertson / The National
Trying to keep flooding out of a business in Al Quoz, Dubai. According to some measurements, 158mm of rain fell in 24 hours. Antonie Robertson / The National
One pedestrian is still smiling despite the flooding, in Al Quoz, Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
Waves form in Dubai floodwaters. Nic Ridley/ The National
Dark clouds over Aldar headquarters in Al Raha, Abu Dhabi. Evelyn Lau / The National
Wrapped up for the elements in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
More storms are forecast for Dubai, with dark skies overhead. Nic Ridley/ The National
A young boy goes for a walk on a rainy day in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Heavy rain fell for several hours in Dubai on Tuesday morning, in what forecasters said was the first wave of stormy weather. Antonie Robertson / The National
Lightning strikes in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Roy Cooper/ The National
There were large puddles in Dubai after heavy rain overnight. Antonie Robertson/The National
A cyclist travels amid clean-up efforts in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
A motorist’s car is stranded on a flooded Dubai road, following torrential rain. Antonie Robertson / The National
Clean-up efforts are under way in Dubai after heavy rain. Antonie Robertson/The National
Dark clouds linger over Dubai with more adverse weather forecast. Antonie Robertson/The National
Dark skies over Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. Zoya Thomas/ The National
Forecasters warned of ‘hazardous weather events’ until Wednesday evening. Antonie Robertson/The National
Workers clear standing water in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
Drivers faced a difficult commute after heavy rain in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
Clean-up efforts began in Dubai after heavy rain. Antonie Robertson/The National