DOHA-Flooding in a number of areas in Doha, including thoroughfares, due to the heavy downpour yesterday forenoon temporarily affected life.
Qatar received unprecedented summer rains in two bouts Thursday, from 5.15am to 5.45am and then from 8.30am to 10.30am.
The Met office tweeted that the highest quantity of rain, 74.9mm, was recorded in Thursday.
Several videos were posted on social media pages showing vehicles slowing down along the flooded parts of Doha Corniche, as well as inner streets in several locations across the city.
Some roads remained impassable for some small and lowered cars for a few hours.
Several commuters who were either on their way to work or had to return back home were stranded in different locations, prompting others to stay indoors and waited for the heavy downpour to stop.
An employee of a design and contracting company said they were told to go home at around 10am but had to go back to the office and stay a little longer until the water just in front of their building subsided.
He added that a lot of shoppers at a nearby supermarket in their location were also stuck inside the building for a couple of hours.
An insurance agent, who was supposed to meet some clients, said he decided to stay home after hearing a series of loud thunders while inside their flat at New Slata.
According to the Met department, thundery rain and strong winds are again expected across Qatar over the weekend, while also forecasting similar conditions offshore along with high seas. The minimum temperature is expected to drop to 28C today.
Met noted that rain accompanied by lightning and thunderstorm were observed in various parts of Qatar from early morning Thursday.
Mesaimeer recorded the highest amount of rain, which amounted to 43.7 mm, followed by Al Wakrah 35.3 mm, Doha 18.1 mm, and Hamad Airport 11.1 mm.
The Ministry of Interior shared on its social media pages some safety tips for driving in the rain such as maintaining lane discipline and avoid overtaking; driving at a slower speed, leaving plenty of space between vehicles ensuring that all wipers are operational before driving, turning lights on and using indicators as required, and braking the vehicle gradually to slow down.
While such weather conditions triggered some disruptions in some parts of Doha, the rain, which at least brought down temperatures below 30 degrees Celsius, provided “a sigh of relief” for many residents amid searing temperatures in the past two months. (Agencies)