Heavy rain and thunderstorms across Qatar today

Drivers are urged to take care on the roads as heavy rain and thunderstorms continue across the country today.

The weather bureau forecasts scattered rains with high winds and thunder in some areas today.

The showers in the past two days have led to water-logging in several areas.

The Peninsula reports that the minister of Municipality and Environment, H E Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi has instructed all municipalities to clear the logged water and emergency rainwater teams from all municipalities are out clearing water in their areas.

Priority is being given to main roads and highways, traffic intersections and subways and schools and then, individual requests to clear water is being attended to.

A statement issued by the ministry said emergency phone numbers of all municipalities are given on its social media accounts and can be contacted to make requests for clearing water. 

Emergency Numbers of all Municipalities in #Qatar to remove the #rain water.
Don't hesitate to call #MME#Retweet pic.twitter.com/klyrH7jHoS

— Baladiya (@Baladiya1) March 9, 2016

A general number (184) of the ministry can be called in case of emergency and it would connect the caller to the department needed to be contacted.

The bureau said today will be partly cloudy to cloudy. Scattered rains are expected, accompanied by thunder at times in some areas. Offshore conditions will be similar and thunderstorms are possible with gusty winds at times.

In the deep seas, waves could rise up to four-seven feet at times. Northwesterly to northeasterly winds could move with speeds of six to 16 knots and reach up to 25 knots during thunder and rain offshore.

Inshore too, it will be a windy day with northwesterly to northeasterly winds moving at speeds of four to 14 knots. During rain and thunder, the wind speed could reach up to 25 knots at places.

The showers would affect visibility which would be 3km or less, and 4-8km when there is no rain.

Day temperatures are expected to vary between 22 and 25 degrees C, while the mercury will slide at night between 18 and 20. In Doha, the temperature forecast is 23 degrees during the day and 20 at night.

(Cover image courtesy: Muhammad Kamran Qureshi)