SHARJAH // Police have blamed bad weather for two accidents yesterday in which two people died and four were injured.
Major Khaled Al Kayi, director of awareness and information at Sharjah Traffic department, said the crashes were caused by low visibility due to dust whipped up by high winds.
In one accident, two people were killed and two others were seriously injured when two vehicles collided on Madam Road at about 6pm on Saturday. The injured were taken to Al Dhaid hospital.
In another accident a car left the road and hit a palm tree injuring the driver and a passenger. Both were taken to Kuwait hospital for treatment for minor injuries.
Major Al Kayi urged motorists to follow traffic rules and avoid speeding or overtaking on the wrong side of the road as these are main causes of accidents.
Winds of up to 70kmph and sandstorms, coupled with light rain, continued to sweep across Sharjah and Ajman today, forcing many residents to stay indoors.
Traffic slowed to a snail's pace on Al Wahda and Al Arouba roads in Sharjah. Police traffic patrols are stationed at busy intersections to help the flow of traffic, said Major Al Kayi
An official from the Sharjah Airport Meteorological office advised fishermen and beachgoers to stay away from rough seas.
According to Riyadh Abdullah Eilan, Sharjah Municipality's acting director general, workmen were already busy removing debris and dust.
"All the drainage water pipes installed recently were working well and there had been no reports of flooding on all roads," he said.
"We are calling on residents to call our toll free number on 993 for any rain related emergencies like floods, collection of dust or falling trees in their neighbourhood."
Yousef Abdullah Ahmad, director of the solid waste department at the municipality, said they were providing extra garbage bins to help collections and to keep the city clean.
ykakande@theantional.ae
