Motorists travelling between Sharjah and Dubai will face new traffic diversions from Saturday, June 13, as the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) begins a temporary partial closure of Al Taawun Street.

The closure is part of ongoing construction works for the Al Taawun Tunnel Development Project, which aims to improve traffic flow and enhance the efficiency of Sharjah’s road network.

Under the revised traffic plan, vehicles heading towards Dubai and Al Nahda Bridge will be diverted via Al Corniche Street.

Meanwhile, motorists travelling from Al Nahda Bridge towards Sharjah will be redirected to the newly developed section of Al Taawun Street.

SRTA said the temporary arrangements are necessary to facilitate works at the existing Al Taawun roundabout and will come into effect from June 13.

The authority urged motorists to follow directional signs, use approved alternative routes and adhere to traffic safety instructions to help minimise delays during the construction period.

The Al Taawun Tunnel Development Project forms part of Sharjah’s wider infrastructure programme aimed at easing congestion and improving mobility across the emirate.

What changes from June 13?

Towards Dubai / Al Nahda Bridge

• Use Al Corniche Street as the alternative route

From Al Nahda Bridge to Sharjah

• Follow diversions to the newly developed Al Taawun Street

Start date: June 13

The Indian Consulate in Dubai has expressed deep sorrow after a fatal road accident on Emirates Road claimed the lives of seven workers, including six Indian nationals and a Sri Lankan citizen, while leaving nine others injured.

Consular officials visited the injured in the hospital and said they are working closely with local authorities to provide assistance to victims and their families. “Our heartfelt condolences and prayers are with the grieving families during this difficult time,” the mission said in a statement.

Dh1 million relief announced for victims

Meanwhile, Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, Abu Dhabi-based entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Chairman and CEO of Burjeel Holdings, has announced a Dh1 million humanitarian recovery programme to support families affected by the fatal Emirates Road crash in Dubai.

The families of each of the seven deceased victims will receive Dh100,000, while Dh180,000 has been allocated to support the medical and recovery needs of the injured survivors.

The package also includes Dh70,000 to cover emergency travel and accommodation expenses for family members and Dh50,000 dedicated to supporting the education of children from the affected families.

What caused the crash?

According to Dubai Police, preliminary investigations indicate the truck had come to a sudden stop on Emirates Road following a technical malfunction.

Authorities said the minibus driver failed to maintain a safe distance and was unable to avoid the stranded vehicle, resulting in a high-impact rear-end collision.

The workers, all employed by a technical services company, were returning to their accommodation in Sharjah after completing work at a construction site in Dubai when the minibus they were travelling in collided with the truck in the middle of Emirates Road near the Dubai-Sharjah border.

Company sources said the minibus was carrying 17 people, including the driver. The seven workers who died were seated on the right side of the vehicle, which absorbed the full force of the impact.

Of the nine injured, five have since been discharged from the hospital, while four remain under medical care, including three Indian nationals and one Nepali worker.

Identification process underway

Authorities are continuing efforts to formally identify all victims, with company sources saying the process has been complicated by the severity of the injuries sustained in the crash.

Dubai Police warning

Following the accident, Dubai Police renewed warnings about the dangers of leaving broken-down vehicles in the middle of the road.

Motorists experiencing a breakdown are urged to:

• Activate hazard warning lights immediately
• Place a warning triangle at a safe distance
• Move passengers away from the vehicle
• Contact the police without delay

Police noted that stopping a vehicle on the roadway due to a breakdown, tyre failure, or fuel shortage is a traffic offence under UAE law, carrying a Dh1,000 fine and six black points.

The UAE could experience hotter-than-normal and wetter-than-normal weather in the coming months as El Niño conditions strengthen across the tropical Pacific Ocean, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

In its latest seasonal outlook, the NCM said there is a 98 per cent probability of El Nino conditions continuing between July and November 2026, with temperatures and rainfall across the UAE expected to range from near-average to above-average levels.

The forecast is based on conditions in the Nino 3.4 region of the tropical Pacific Ocean, a key climate indicator used by meteorologists worldwide. The latest sea surface temperature anomaly in the region is 0.5°C above normal, officially placing it within El Nino territory.

What is El Nino?

El Nino is a natural climate pattern caused by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific. Although it occurs thousands of kilometres away, it can influence weather systems across the globe, including the UAE and other countries in the region.

Historically, El Nino events have been associated with higher temperatures, increased humidity, heavier rainfall in some regions, and more extreme weather patterns worldwide.

What could it mean for the UAE?

While the UAE is not among the regions most severely impacted by El Nino, forecasters say residents could see:

• Higher-than-normal temperatures
• Increased humidity levels
• Greater chances of rainfall compared to seasonal averages
• More variable weather patterns during the second half of the year

The NCM stressed that climate conditions are continuously monitored and forecasts will be updated monthly based on the latest international weather models and observations.

For now, residents should prepare for a potentially hotter and more humid summer as the climate phenomenon strengthens.