Anticipated stormy weather is forecasted to impact parts of the country from Wednesday night through Thursday evening.
In response, the United Arab Emirates has issued directives for remote work and distance learning on Thursday and Friday.
Guidelines were issued by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) on Wednesday for colleges, universities, and both public and private sectors. Each emirate’s authorities subsequently issued weather-related directives in alignment with NCEMA’s guidelines.
All but essential personnel are advised to work remotely, and road closures are recommended for flood-prone areas. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization has advised private sector businesses on implementing remote and flexible work schedules.
Private schools in Dubai and Sharjah are scheduled for distance learning on both days, with government schools following suit. Some schools will conduct important exams in person.
In Dubai, all private schools, nurseries, and universities will provide distance learning on Thursday and Friday due to the unstable weather. Sharjah’s colleges and universities will also switch to remote learning on Thursday. Government workers in Sharjah will work remotely on Thursday, with public parks closed for safety.
According to the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), moderate to heavy rain, lightning, thunder, and winds up to 65 kph are expected on Thursday. The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority is preparing for the weather’s potential impact, emphasizing safety measures in flood-prone areas.
Meteorologist Esraa Al-Naqbi clarified that while the upcoming weather event is significant, it is not as severe as the April storm. This event is classified as moderate and is expected to affect the entire nation from Wednesday night through Thursday.