DUBAI/ABU DHABI/RAS AL KHAIMAH/AL AIN — Two people were killed and a number of others suffered serious injuries as more than 170 accidents occurred across the UAE during the weekend as showers affected roads.

The temperature dropped to zero degree Celsius in Al Ain while the heaviest rainfall of more than 14mm was experienced in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Al Bukhoosh Island in Abu Dhabi yesterday morning witnessed the highest rainfall in the emirate of 14.4mm, according to a senior duty forecaster at the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology in the capital.

However, the capital received only 1.2mm of rainfall while Al Wathba had 3.8mm, Delma 1.6mm, Makassib Island in Abu Dhabi 1.2mm, Abu Al Abiyad 1.2mm, Sheham 0.6mm and Al Aryan 0.4mm.

In Al Ain, Al Khazn recorded 4.8mm of rainfall, Al Ain city 0.8mm, Raknah 2.2mm and Rowdah 0.2mm.

Thunderstorms were reported in Ras Al Khaimah where 6mm of rainfall was received, according to meteorologists from RAK Airport.

An Al Ain forecaster said the temperature dropped to zero degree Celsius in the city at midnight on Thursday.

Residents happy

The residents in the capital are happy to receive rain after a long wait but expect some heavy showers this season.

Saeed Abdul Hameed, a national who resides in the capital, said, “It is not enough. This is only a shower, we need some heavy rain. But as the clouds indicate, we hope it will bring good rain this winter.”

The forecaster said the sky would remain cloudy with showers across the UAE and heavy rains predicted particularly in the northern parts of the UAE.

A south-easterly wind will blow at 10-18 knots reaching 22 knots at times while a north-westerly wind of 18-24 knots will prevail offshore in the afternoon and evening.

Sea waves will be 1-4 feet high onshore reaching 8 feet at times in the afternoon and 3-5 feet offshore.

Days will be warm with maximums of about 24 degree Celsius while the minimum will be 11 degree Celsius. The maximum humidity is expected to be 70 per cent and minimum 30 per cent.

Road accidents

Two people were killed in road accidents in Ras Al Khaimah while more than 80 people were injured in around 170 traffic accidents reported in Dubai alone.

A senior officer from the RAK Traffic and Licensing Police said that two Bangladeshi nationals riding separate motorcycles, identified as A.A.F, 40, and M.N.A, 27, were killed after being hit by two unidentified motorists in Diqdaq area on the Airport Road at around 11.30 pm yesterday.

The officer added a search was on for the two drivers who fled after the fatal crash. The slippery road surfaces and poor visibility because of fog could be the reasons behind the accidents.

Another Bangladesh national, S.K.D, 35, who was riding a motorcycle was hit by a speeding vehicle in Al ShamS area yesterday morning when the driver lost control due to the flooded road. The victim who sustained major head and back injuries has been admitted to Saqr Government Hospital.

A source from the RAK Civil Defence Department said one Egyptian labourer, identified as M.H.M, 35, was rushed to Saqr Hospital yesterday in critical condition after a sudden fall from the slippery ladders due to the rain at a newly constructed building in Al Jazeera area.

Dubai Police Operations Room duty officer said about 50 minor accidents occurred from 6.30am to 1pm yesterday due to speeding and not keeping safe distance between vehicles.

Around 20 people sustained minor injuries in a collision involving a number of cars in Dubai. The Dubai ambulance rushed the injured to a hospital for treatment.

As many as 16 minor accidents occurred in Sharjah emirate yesterday although no fatalities were recorded, according to the police.

However, the accidents on roads including Sharjah Ring Road, Ittihad Road and Corniche Road caused traffic snarls for more than two hours.

Captain Fuwaid Abdullah, head of Mafraq traffic police, said more than 20 traffic accidents occurred in the Abu Dhabi emirate yesterday, mainly on external roads, including Taraif-Abu Dhabi road and the Shahama-Abu Dhabi road. Two people suffered minor injuries.

Patrols on highways

“Traffic patrols were extensively deployed on all highways to offer any assistance to motorists whose vehicles have broken down and attend to road accidents swiftly,” he said.

The Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, meanwhile, is working round the clock with water-pumping vehicles to clear flooded roads and outside people’s homes.

Two killed, scores hurt in rain-related accidents
By a staff reporters
Source-http://www.khaleejtimes.com