Fog blamed for 100s of road accidents in Abu Dhabi

More than 550 traffic accidents were reported in the capital early this week, partly due to fog.

Abu Dhabi Police received 281 accident reports yesterday and 286 on Monday, the state news agency Wam reported. Police said "a number" of accidents caused injuries and gridlock.

Even so, residents managed to get a short reprieve from unsettled weather conditions on Tuesday morning after Monday's heavy fog caused problems to motorists and air passengers.

There were patches of fog at Khalifa City A, Al Rahba, Ras Ghnadah and other areas between Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates at 3am. In Ras Al Khaimah, horizontal visibility was reduced to 200 metres.

"The south-easterly wind started to accelerate early this morning and reduced the density of the fog which prevailed over Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates along the coastal areas," said the duty forecaster at the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS).

By 5am on Tuesday, the country witnessed good visibility over most parts except in Ras Al Khaimah where visibility was at 1,500 metres.

"Operation at the airport last night and this morning was normal as the weather is much clearer than the night before," a spokeswoman for Abu Dhabi International Airport said.

On Monday, early morning fog blanketed the country, causing problems for motorists. Motorists were urged to switch on fog lights or low-beam headlights, slow down and increase the distance between vehicles. The morning fog also caused problems for air passengers as flights were hit by diversions and delays.

Apart from some light rainfall in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, fog over Ras Al Khaimah is expected today.

rruiz@thenational.ae