News

Health hazard warning as dusty weather to continue in UAE

Published

3 years ago

May 19, 2022

The world’s tallest building disappeared behind a grey layer of dust on Thursday as sandstorms that have swept the Middle East hit the United Arab Emirates, prompting weather and traffic warnings.
The 828-metre tall Burj Khalifa, which towers over Dubai and is usually visible across the busy financial hub, retreated behind a curtain of airborne dirt that shrouded much of the country.
The UAE is just the latest country in the path of sandstorms that have smothered Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran and others in recent days, closing airports and schools and sending thousands to hospital with breathing problems.
Capital city Abu Dhabi’s air quality index soared into the “hazardous” zone overnight, according to waqi.info and the Plume pollution app.
The Middle East’s sandstorms are becoming more frequent and intense, a trend associated with overgrazing and deforestation, overuse of river water and more dams.
Experts say the phenomenon could worsen as climate change warps regional weather patterns and drives desertification.

File picture of the buildings on the Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai.

Emirati authorities issued a nationwide warning urging residents to remain vigilant.
“Abu Dhabi Police urges drivers to be cautious due to low visibility during high winds and dust,” the police force tweeted, as residents took to social media to publish photos and videos.
“Please do not be distracted by taking any videos or using your phone,” it added.
A National Center for Meteorology graphic showed nearly all the country covered by the storm, with the warning: “Be on the alert: hazardous weather events are expected.”
Winds with speeds up to 40 kilometres per hour are blowing the dust, it said, reducing visibility in some areas to less than 2,000 metres.
However, a Dubai airports spokesman said there was no impact on air traffic. Weather conditions were expected to remain the same for the next few days.
In neighbouring Saudi Arabia, badly hit on Tuesday, conditions eased in the capital Riyadh on Wednesday but continued to restrict visibility in the city centre.
Emergency rooms in Riyadh hospitals received some 1,285 people suffering from respiratory problems over 24 hours from the sandstorm, the state-run Al-Ekhbariya channel reported late on Tuesday.
The Saudi national weather centre reported that dust was also affecting visibility in the west and south, specifically in Assir, Najran, Hael and Medina provinces. Medina is home to Medina city, the second-holiest city in Islam.
The centre predicted another sandstorm would arrive in the kingdom by Sunday.

– Agence France-Presse

News

Get through immigration in seconds: Dubai Airport rolls out fast-track AI service

Published

30 mins ago

April 23, 2025

Michael Gomes

Dubai International Airport is rolling out a new fast-track service that allows passengers to breeze through passport control without stopping for traditional identity checks. The service, launched at the First and Business Class lounges in Terminal 3, uses cutting-edge AI and facial recognition technology to streamline the immigration process.

Here’s how it works

Passengers who opt for the ‘Unlimited Smart Travel’ service will have their identity verified using pre-registered facial data, allowing them to skip document checks altogether. Cameras in the lounge capture their faces from various angles, quickly confirming their identity as they walk through. The system can process up to 10 passengers simultaneously, meaning much faster passage through the gates.

The initiative builds on the success of the Smart Tunnel system, first introduced in 2020, which allowed passengers to complete passport control in seconds. With this new upgrade, the process is even more efficient, cutting wait times and enhancing the overall travel experience.

Hi-tech features

Currently, the service is available only for departing passengers, but plans are in place to expand it to arriving travellers in the future. All passengers need to do is register once, and their facial data is saved for future use, making each trip quicker and easier.

With the number of travellers expected to rise, this innovation is designed to keep things running smoothly, improving both speed and customer satisfaction. It’s a significant step toward making Dubai International Airport one of the most tech-forward and efficient airports in the world.

News

UAE weather: It’s hot and sunny across the country today

Published

55 mins ago

April 23, 2025

Michael Gomes

The UAE experienced hot and sunny weather on Wednesday, April 23, with temperatures rising across all emirates.

In Dubai, the temperature reached 38°C, with clear skies and plenty of sunshine throughout the day. Residents are advised not to venture out in the sun during peak hours and opt for shaded areas or cooled public spaces during the day.

Abu Dhabi saw similar conditions, hitting 37°C. Authorities reminded people to stay hydrated and avoid outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day.

Fujairah recorded a high of 33°C. While it was still hot, the eastern city felt slightly cooler due to the sea breeze from the Gulf of Oman.

Ras Al Khaimah and other northern emirates also reported temperatures around 38°C to 40°C.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) forecasts a slight drop in temperatures tomorrow, with similar sunny conditions expected across the country.

News

Motorists alert: Parking hiked in Al Karama and other Dubai residential areas

Published

1 hour ago

April 23, 2025

Michael Gomes

Parking in some of Dubai’s busiest residential neighbourhoods, including Al Karama and Qusais, has become more expensive.

Parkin PJSC, the emirate’s largest public parking operator, announced yesterday revised parking tariffs for several key areas across the city. The new rates, which fall under Zones W and WP, were shared via the company’s official account on the social media platform X.

Motorists will now face updated charges in areas such as Al Karama (318W), Al Qusais First (32W), Madinat Dubai and Al Melaheya (321W), as well as Al Kifaf (324WP).

New Parking Tariffs

In Al Kifaf (Zone WP), now classified as a premium parking zone, motorists will be charged:

Dh6 per hour during peak hours (8am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm)
Dh4 per hour during off-peak hours (10am to 4pm and 8pm to 10pm)

Premium zones, identified by signage and codes such as ‘345CP’, are typically located in high-demand areas near public transport stations. These areas feature enhanced parking infrastructure and stricter enforcement.

Meanwhile, standard zones, which include Al Karama (318W), Al Qusais First (32W), Madinat Dubai and Al Melaheyah (321W), will maintain a flat rate of Dh4 per hour, with no variation based on time of day.

New System to Manage Demand

The changes come as part of Dubai’s newly introduced variable parking tariff system, rolled out on April 4, aimed at easing congestion and better managing parking demand across the city.

Under the new framework:

Peak hours are from 8am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm
Off-peak hours are from 10am to 4pm and 8pm to 10pm
Parking charges are applicable from 8am to 10pm, with free parking on Sundays and public holidays

Motorists are advised to check signage or use the Parkin mobile app to stay updated on zone classifications and tariffs to avoid fines.