Heavy rain overnight and this morning caused localized flooding of many roads in and around Doha, prompting warnings from authorities for motorists to drive carefully, as more wet weather is forecast for later today and tomorrow.
While many residents cheered at the sight of the rain, for others it created hazardous driving conditions during the morning commute.
The Ministry of Interior reminded motorists that wet roads create longer stopping distances, and warned them to take care.
As rain falls, it creates slick conditions perfect for skids. Slow down to avoid skidding. #MoI_Qatar pic.twitter.com/XGVPUb7nQO
— Ministry of Interior (@MOI_QatarEn) March 22, 2015
Residents reported that many local roads around town have been flooded as a result of the extra surface water.
#GoodMorning & #HappySunday. Many parts of Mansoura, Najma & Musheireb is flooded. PLEASE drive carefully!! #DohaTraffic @QFRadio2 @dohanews
— Ms. Hala (@MsHalaCo) March 22, 2015
Very Good Morning!! Rain!! Rain!! 😀 Cool Weather 🙂 Terrific Traffic 🙁 Be careful drivers #Qatar
— Shaheer (@shaheerka) March 22, 2015
No proper drainage means here its very rare the rain comes & drainage problem is only in few places. Qatar geo nature, water cannot go down.
— Niyaz Kannanchery (@niyazsky) March 22, 2015
@SiFrew absolutely brilliant its raining only prob lack of dtainage advice avoid going under any bypass
— F'ball (@palmerpfc) March 22, 2015
Wet ‘n wild
On what is the United Nations’ World Water Day to encourage more sustainable use of water globally, many residents took to social media to celebrate and share their rare pictures of rain across town, and empathize with those working outdoors in the inclement weather.
Happy #WorldWaterDay! Doha is blessed with rain today, if only we would harvest it.. #water #wwd15 #22March pic.twitter.com/nr35GKP7y4
— YvettevEechoud (@YvettevEechoud) March 22, 2015
@dohanews Heavy rain in Qatar. A very rare phenomenon which happens once in a blue moon. pic.twitter.com/zvbgVYi0Py
— Rinith. KT (@RinithKT) March 22, 2015
https://twitter.com/marenun77/status/579504040163180544
Leaving airport, rain, thunder and lightning! Amazing #Qatar
— أمينة* *Amina (@LFC_AMINA) March 22, 2015
I love the smell of rain #Qatar
— Rabia (@Rabia_Rashid) March 22, 2015
It was s awesome rain…. … — feeling fantastic at Doha, State of Qatar http://t.co/FywN7qVTz5
— Kiran Babu (@chinskiran) March 22, 2015
While it’s not unusual to have rain at this time of year, heavy downpours can cause flooding as the infrastructure struggles to cope. Last March, sections of underpasses on the recently-constructed Salwa Road flooded badly after flash storms, stranding a number of cars, due to a lack of proper drainage.
Forecast
Meteorologists are predicted more rain for later today and tomorrow, with intermittent thunderstorms and low visibility.
Expected to the instability condition in the upper air will continue until the beginning of next Monday 23 Marchhttp://t.co/xmPLOkFSeY
— أرصاد قطر (@qatarweather) March 21, 2015
توزيع السحب على المنطقة الآن حسب آخر صور الأقمار الإصطناعية .. pic.twitter.com/WB14PF9Zbz
— أرصاد قطر (@qatarweather) March 22, 2015
A new week in #Doha kicks off with rain! Sunday and Monday will be quite cloudy, and at times rather wet.
— Steff Gaulter (@WeatherSteff) March 21, 2015
According to Qatar Meteorology Department: “scattered rain (will) turn in to thundery rain on Sunday evening and the beginning of Monday.”
This is expected to be followed by high pressure which will herald strong winds from around midday on Monday, followed by the possibility of blowing dust and poor visibility until noon on Tuesday.
Temperatures for today are expected to be between 24 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius, while tomorrow should be cooler, with highs of 25 degrees Celsius, the meteorology department said.
The Ministry for Municipality and Urban Planning provides a service for removing flood water in problem areas. Residents can request a team to inspect and remove the water through the ministry’s website.
https://twitter.com/Baladiya1/status/579516148556820480
Are you celebrating the rain before the arrival of summer? Thoughts?
