As the nation gets ready for significant rain and thunder, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has called for the implementation of remote work and distance learning on Thursday and Friday.
The guidelines for all colleges and universities, as well as the public and private sectors, were released by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority on Wednesday. Authorities in each emirate then issued weather-related directives in accordance with NCEMA's guidelines.
The crisis authority stated that all employees, with the exception of those who must be physically present, would be subject to remote working policies.
#الامارات : الان أمطار غزيرة في السلع بمنطقة الظفرة #اخدود_الغدير
— مركز العاصفة (@Storm_centre) May 1, 2024
##مركز_العاصفة
1/5/2024 pic.twitter.com/qvwNZgP3Me
The authority recommended closing all roads that lead to flood-affected areas in an effort to lessen the effects of the bad weather.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization advised private sector businesses on how to implement remote and flexible work schedules. Due to the predicted extreme weather, all private schools in Dubai and Sharjah were already scheduled to offer distance learning on Thursday and Friday.
Authorities declared that on both days, remote learning would be implemented in a similar manner in all UAE government schools. Important examinations, though, will still be administered in person at some schools.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has advised private sector companies to apply flexible and remote work patterns tomorrow, 2 May 2024, to maintain the health and safety of their workers in light of the expected weather conditions. This comes after…
— وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين (@MOHRE_UAE) May 1, 2024
Parts of the UAE are expected to see a lot of rain, thunder, and lightning this week.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority announced on X that due to the forecasted unstable weather, all private schools, nurseries, and universities in Dubai will have to provide distance learning on Thursday, May 2, and Friday, May 3.
Authorities in Sharjah announced on Wednesday that starting on Thursday, all of the emirate's colleges and universities would implement remote learning.
Except for those in positions requiring a physical presence, all government workers in the emirate will work remotely on Thursday, according to the government media office in Sharjah.
Due to Sharjah's four-day workweek, which ends on Friday with government offices and schools closed, the directive only applies to Thursday.
For safety reasons, public parks will be closed on both days. Stormy weather is expected to affect parts of the country from Wednesday night through Thursday evening, according to the National Center of Meteorology.
With unstable weather predicted, all Dubai private schools, nurseries, and universities must offer distance learning on Thursday, May 2 & Friday, May 3. Stay safe everyone.
— KHDA | هيئة المعرفة والتنمية البشرية بدبي (@KHDA) April 30, 2024
According to state news agency Wam, the NCM stated, "[There will be] moderate to heavy rain in scattered areas with lightning and thunder at times, with the possibility of some hail, starting in the west on Wednesday night and extending over most regions of the country on Thursday."
The NCM also predicted that Thursday's winds would reach 65 kph.
To get ready for the predicted weather, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority has convened meetings.
"Studying and evaluating the weather and their implications for areas that may be affected" was the statement made by the authority on X.
According to NCEMA, strict observance of safety procedures was necessary, particularly in regions vulnerable to high rainfall.
However, NCM meteorologist Esraa Al-Naqbi told The National that the current weather is normal and not to be confused with the storm that occurred in April and caused widespread disruptions across the nation.
On the other hand, she claimed that starting on Wednesday night and continuing through Thursday, the weather is just one wave and will affect the entire nation. The previous storm was rated as moderate to strong, but this one is only classified as moderate.
