Torrential rain and lightning strike Al Dhaid as summer storms sweep eastern UAE
Heavy downpours and thunder battered Al Dhaid and Suhaila in Sharjah on Saturday afternoon, triggering wadi runoff as convective clouds developed over the emirate's eastern region.
Torrential rain and lightning strike Al Dhaid as summer storms sweep eastern UAE
Intense thunderstorms swept through Al Dhaid and Suhaila in Sharjah on Saturday afternoon, bringing torrential rain, lightning and wadi runoff after the National Centre of Meteorology warned of convective cloud activity across the UAE's eastern areas.
Al Dhaid, located approximately 60 kilometres east of Sharjah City at the foothills of the Hajar Mountains, experienced heavy downpours accompanied by dramatic lightning and thunder. Videos circulating on social media showed flooding in the town, which serves as the capital of Sharjah's Central Region and is home to around 33,000 residents.
The meteorological centre had forecast the development of convective clouds accompanied by light to moderate rainfall, with the possibility of heavy showers in some areas until 7pm on Saturday. Wadis near Al Dhaid and the Suhaila area, located north of Al Dhaid, reported significant runoff as water flowed from the mountains.
Summer weather patterns behind the storms
The summer rainfall event illustrates the meteorological pattern typical of July in the UAE, when the country is influenced by thermal low-pressure systems, particularly the Indian monsoon low. Moist air from the Sea of Oman is forced upwards when it encounters the Hajar Mountains, forming rain-bearing convective clouds over the eastern highlands.
Al Dhaid's position at the entrance of Wadi Siji on a desert plain makes the agricultural oasis town particularly susceptible to mountain rainfall and wadi runoff. The area is known for its fertile farmlands and date palm groves, supported by ancient falaj irrigation channels that carry water from the Hajar Mountains.
Flash flood risks and historical context
Flash floods in wadis represent a significant natural hazard in the UAE, as dry riverbeds can transform into raging torrents within minutes when storms in distant mountains send water rushing downstream. Similar summer rainstorms have struck the region before, including a record-breaking event in July 2022 that brought unprecedented rainfall and damaging flash floods to northeastern UAE.
Weather conditions across the UAE
Elsewhere in the country, Saturday's weather remained generally fair, with temperatures easing slightly from recent highs. Low clouds developed over eastern areas during the morning hours.
The National Centre of Meteorology warned of humid conditions overnight and into Sunday morning, with a chance of fog or mist forming over some coastal and inland areas. Winds were forecast to remain light to moderate, reaching up to 30 kilometres per hour, while seas were expected to stay slight in both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.
Outlook for the coming days
Forecasters said temperatures are likely to decline further on Sunday, with another chance of fog by Monday morning. Convective clouds are expected to redevelop over eastern and southern regions from Monday through Wednesday, bringing the possibility of afternoon rainfall, fresh winds reaching up to 40 kilometres per hour, blowing dust in exposed areas and occasionally rough seas in parts of the Arabian Gulf.
