Long-awaited rain falls in Fujairah

Showers had been predicted for later in the week

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Heavy rainfall hammered parts of Fujairah on Monday afternoon, with more expected throughout the week.

One video posted by the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) showed a flooded road, while another caught torrential downpours at the Wadi Hilo tunnel.

The UAE was forecast to be hit by much-needed rain by the end of the week, but showers started early.

The NCM said yesterday that eastern and western areas of the country could experience rainy weather.

It comes after a particularly mild winter, with sunny days that have delivered lower-than-usual rates of rainfall.

Storm Centre, a popular UAE account that tracks the country's weather, posted about the possibility of showers.

"Chances for good rains to fall in some parts of the country next week, and the chances of rain will continue sporadically until the end of April," it said.

The UAE recorded only 1.2 millimetres of rain in the first three months of the year, highlighting the importance of the government's long-term strategy to improve water security.

Authorities have increased efforts to conserve water resources in recent years.

The NCM's cloud-seeding programme conducts regular missions to enhance rainfall, while the use of vertical farms – which require 90 per cent less water than traditional farms – have been promoted.

According to forecast charts on Windy.com, downpours are also expected over much of northern Oman on Wednesday and Thursday.