First rain hits Dubai, unstable weather ahead

November 18, 2013

First_rain

Dubai, Nov 18: Foggy conditions, low visibility caused by dust storms, and mild showers resulted in disruption of road traffic across the Emirates on Sunday, with incidences of mild to heavy showers in Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Kalba, and neighbouring areas.

The UAE’s National Centre for Meteorology Seismology (NCMS) has confirmed that rains will continue on Monday, in Fujairah, Sharjah and Ajman, but rubbished rumours of a hurricane likely to hit.

An NCMS spokesperson said the weather would be unstable in the coming day or two, with flash floods likely.

Fujairah and Al Hamra also experienced thunderstorms and relatively heavy showers on Sunday. The waters of the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman will be rough due to the storms over the coming days, and fishermen are advised to take precautions while out at sea.

The official Twitter account of NCMS tweeted: “It is expected that the rain clouds will affect different parts of the state in the coming hours, may be accompanied by floods in mountainous regions.”

Residents also reported dust storms from Dubai and Sharjah on Sunday afternoon, which caused low visibility and disruption to road traffic and motorists have been advised to exercise caution on the roads as the disruptive weather continues.

“It is expected to be partly cloudy at times over some of the northeasterly areas by noon. Slight to moderate winds in general and relative humidity will increase during night and early morning,” the spokesperson added.

Hurricanes or floods unlikely

However, NCMS has confirmed that a hurricane or major floods are unlikely to hit the UAE, but said the country should expect rains, with many areas remaining overcast.

The NCMS rebuffed rumours attributed to the US Navy about the existence of hurricanes and floods across the country, saying they were merely an ‘exaggeration’.

The NCMS said any news traded via social networking sites about this case should be referred to the centre. The centre also emphasised the country was currently under the influence of unstable weather conditions leading to a different intensity of rain over scattered parts of the country periodically.

“The centre is warning (against visiting the) Oman and Arabian Gulf sea and (has advised people to) stay away from running valleys, adding that precautions must be taken in case of rain on high roads,” the NCMS said in a statement.

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Saudi Gazette
May 27,2020

Riyadh, May 27: Following the announcement of easing of lockdown measures, which includes reopening of all mosques for daily congressional as well as Friday prayers across the Kingdom except the holy city of Makkah, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance has set mandatory guidelines.

In a circular issued to mosque staff, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh has instructed that all mosques must comply with the following precautionary measures and instructions:

1. Open mosques 15 minutes before the Adhan and close them 10 minutes after prayer

2. Reduce the waiting period between the Adhan and Iqamah to 10 minutes

3. Open windows and doors from entering time to the end of the prayer

4. Remove copies of Holy Qur’an and other books temporarily from mosques

5. Ensure attendees keep a distance of two meters between each other

6. Ensure one space is left between each row

7. Close all water coolers and refrigerators

8. Do not allow distribution of water or food in mosques

9. Close toilets and places of ablution

Precautionary measures on Friday prayers are as follows:

1. Open mosques 20 minutes before Friday prayer and closing them 20 minutes after prayer.

2. Friday sermon with prayer should not exceed 15 minutes.

The circular also stipulates to keep the suspension of the religious courses, programs and lectures, as well as the memorizing Holy Qur'an sessions in the mosques and to continue education and lectures remotely until further notice.

The circular pointed out that the imams of mosques should urge the worshipers to take the following precautionary measures:

1. Wear a face mask

2. Bring their own prayer rugs and not leave them after the prayer

3. Prevent accompanying children under 15 years of age from entering mosques

4. Perform ablution at home

5. Avoid crowding when entering or exiting mosques

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the Ministry of Interior clarified later in the day that people are allowed to perform congressional prayers in their locality during the time of curfew.

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News Network
April 30,2020

Riyadh, Apr 30: Saudi Arabia on Thursday recorded 1,351 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 22,753, the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

The ministry also announced 5 more deaths and 210 new recoveries, raising the total number of fatalities and recoveries to 162 and 3,163 respectively.

Riyadh with 440 cases topped the list, followed by 392 cases in Makkah, 120 in Jeddah and 119 in Madinah.

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News Network
July 5,2020

Riyadh, Jul 5: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has approved the extension of the validity of the expired iqama (residency permit) and exit and reentry visas of expatriates who are outside the Kingdom for a period of three months without any fee.

The iqama of expatriates inside the Kingdom as well as the visa of visitors who are in the Kingdom of which the validity expires during the period of suspension of entry and exit from the Kingdom will also be extended for a period of three months without any charge.

The validity of final exit visas as well as exit and reentry visas issued for expatriates, who are in the Kingdom, but were not used during the lockdown period will be extended for a period of three months without any fee, the Saudi Press Agency reported quoting an official source at the Ministry of Interior.

The ministry source said that these measures were taken as part of the continuous efforts made by the government of King Salman to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on individuals as well as on private sector establishments and investors, economic activities in the Kingdom, following the adoption of the preventive measures to stem the spread of the pandemic.

The beneficiaries of the King’s order include all expatriates who are outside the Kingdom on exit and reentry visas, which expired during the lockdown period and after lifting of the lockdown.

These expatriates are not in a position to return to the Kingdom due to the enforcement of suspension of international flight service and temporary ban on entry and exit from the Kingdom.

The beneficiaries also include those expatriates who are still in the Kingdom after issuance of final exit visas or exit and reentry visas but could not travel because of the suspension of entry and exit from the Kingdom.

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