Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdulla bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday visited the Rainfall Emergency Room of Public Works Authority (Ashghal) to review measures and follow up the work progress after heavy rains across the count
DOHA: Hours-long, continuous heavy rains lashed Qatar yesterday that swung various civic authorities including municipalities, Kahramaa, Traffic Department and Ashghal into action to address different issues including scattered water-logging, disruptions in electricity supply and traffic congestion sans delays.
The current rain spell in Qatar which started few days ago with scattered showers of various degrees in different parts of the country turned intense yesterday morning as downpour accompanied with thunder, strong winds and lightning lashed almost the whole country causing water-logging at places including some underpasses.
According to Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA), moderate to heavy rainfall was recorded yesterday with a maximum of 84 milimeter (mm) rainfall in Abu Hamour which is considered “the highest ever recorded in Doha areas during the month of October”.
According to the forecast of Qatar Meteorology Department (QMD), thundershowers of variable intensity are expected to “continue today as well especially at noon time” accompanied with strong wind at times. “We would like also to remind you that marine warnings are still in effect,” said the Department in a post on social networking sties, adding that thunderstorms accompanied with strong wind expected to continue until Monday evening.
The Ministry of Municipality and Environment has said that the rainfall emergency teams in all municipalities were doing their utmost in dealing with the heavy rainfall that took place across the country.
Head of the Rainfall Emergency Committee at the Ministry, Safar Mubarak Al Shafi, said in a statement that specialised teams swung in action in limiting the impact of the heavy, unprecedented rainfall yesterday. He stressed that work is continuing round the clock across the country to eliminate the water logging caused by rainfall.
Safar Mubarak Al Shafi noted that work is focusing on tunnels and main roads, in order to reopen them as fast as possible. He added that work is also focusing on affected homes as well.
The Ministry posted emergency hotlines on its social media pages to facilitate the request-making process to remove water.
Teams from Rainfall Emergency Committee were also deployed to remove the trees which fell down due to strong winds after heavy rain in Doha.
Meanwhile, Qatar Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement that unstable weather conditions resulting from extension of a low pressure system continues affecting the country. “Doha and most areas of the State witnessed unprecedented rains of variable intensity yesterday (Saturday) concentrating mainly in all areas of Doha,” the Authority added.
QCAA said that it was thundery at times accompanied with strong wind reaching 42 kt causing rising dust and poor visibility below 1 km in some areas. “Moderate to heavy rainfall was recorded yesterday with a maximum of 84 milometer (mm) rainfall in Abu Hamoor which is considered the highest amount ever recorded in Doha areas during the month of October. In addition, 31mm rainfall was recorded in Ras Lafan and 23 mm in Al Khor. Al Wakra and Qatar University received equal amount of rainfall 22mm.” Regarding air traffic, the emergency weather situation was treated seriously to ensure passengers’ safety as nine flights were diverted to Oman and Kuwait and air traffic went back to normal shortly.
All citizens and residents were advised to take extra care, avoid marine activities and follow latest weather updates through official accounts of Public Authority of Civil Aviation and Qatar Meteorology Department.
The heavy rainfall also caused partial closures of a number of tunnels yesterday. The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) urged road users to avoid using those tunnels until they were cleared and open for traffic. The tunnels which witnessed partial closure were Al Massila, Al Sadd, Al Rayyan / 22 Feb, Immigration Intersection, Al Rayyan Road tunnels, Omar bin Al Khattab tunnel.
By today morning, the MOI tweeted that 22 February and Abu Samra roads and tunnels of Al Sadd, Mesila and Jou'an Bin Hamad are completely free from water accumulation and they are open to traffic.
Ashghal also said it will continue to monitor the main road networks and drainage networks across the country. The General Directorate of Traffic at the Ministry of Interior urged motorists to exercise extra caution and drive carefully. “As rain falls, it creates slick conditions perfect for skids. The best way to avoid skidding is to slow down. Driving at a slower pace allows more of the tire’s tread to make contact with the road, which leads to better traction,” the Ministry of Interior tweeted yesterday.
Qatar Foundation tweeted: “Due to severe weather, QF HQ and all QF centers and entities at Education City will be closed tomorrow (Sunday). Having assessed the impact of heavy rain on roads in Doha, we have taken this decision to ensure the safety of all members of our community, which is our top priority.” The US Embassy in Qatar also announced on its Twitter account that it will be closed today (Sunday) due to weather conditions and heavy rain.
