Rain is causing chaos across the Middle East, with flash flooding in Erbil and the cancellation of outdoor events in Saudi Arabia to protect public safety.
In the UAE, many areas were affected by rain on Sunday, some of it heavy.
Forecasters issued a weather warning covering much of Abu Dhabi, urging people to be aware of the possibility of hazardous weather in some areas on the coast and inland.
Forecasters warned that the rain could return later in the week, making it one of the wettest recent starts to a new year.
Other parts of the region have also experienced heavy downpours in recent days.
In Saudi Arabia, moderate to heavy rain led to the cancellation of many outdoor events in Riyadh on Friday. They included a sell-out K-pop Stray Kids and Chungha concert, which was being held as part of Riyadh Season.
Fans were asked to evacuate the outdoor arena as “quickly and quietly as possible”, according to reports.
The organisers of Riyadh Season issued tweets announcing the closure of all outdoor events and zones for public safety on the day.
The rain-affected several areas, including Makkah, Madinah, Hail, Qassim, and the Alkhobar region.
In Iraq, heavy rain caused flash floods in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's northern Kurdish autonomous region, on Thursday.
Major roads were submerged and water entered many people’s homes, damaging their property. Firefighters pumped water out of buildings.
More than 300 hotel rooms were set aside for the families who were affected. They would also be provided with goods, the local government said.
Erbil often suffers severe floods during the winter. Thursday’s bout of rainy weather was the third of the season so far.
In Gaza, heavy rain caused floods in Gaza city, turning streets into rivers as drains overflowed.
Climate change impact
Experts have said extreme weather events like flash floods are becoming more common in the region owing to climate change.
A report by Emirates Wildlife Society from 2017 titled UAE Climate Change Risks & Resilience, found the UAE was likely to experience more rainfall and the risk of flash floods due to global warming.
Annual rainfall could increase by 200 per cent, it said.
In the first few days of 2022 alone, the UAE has received 18 months of rain in some areas.
In January 2020, the UAE experienced a three-day rainstorm that caused widespread floods and chaos on roads, damaging homes and forcing schools to close.
The extreme weather was caused by climate change, Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, who was then Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said.
Studies in the UAE have shown heavy rain spells have become longer-lasting over the past two decades.
The research by Khalifa University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi and the National Centre of Meteorology in the UAE found the events “may be even more impactful in a warming world”.
Experts have said a warmer atmosphere could hold more water vapour, meaning extreme events last longer.
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 5
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Huddersfield 0
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Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
The biog
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite Movie: Resident Evil
Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices
Favourite food: Pizza
Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
More on Quran memorisation:
Veere di Wedding
Dir: Shashanka Ghosh
Starring: Kareena Kapoo-Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania
Verdict: 4 Stars
How to become a Boglehead
Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.
• Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.
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• Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.
• Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.
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