The UAE’s new early weather warning system will help save lives amid a growing threat posed by climate change, a senior UAE official has said.
Dr Mohamed Al Ebri, director of the meteorology department at the National Centre of Meteorology, said it was important to be able to warn the public about potential weather hazards when they were abroad.
Speaking to The National on Tuesday, Dr Al Ebri said creating the system had been challenging but it was an important development.
“Because of climate change, natural disasters and severe weather have increased in severity and frequency,” said Dr Al Ebri. “We wanted to warn citizens and residents who are abroad. This is very important to save lives.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the NCM on Friday launched the “early warning system for all”, which is now up and running.
The ministry will operate the 24/7 platform that is fed data from the NCM and a network of weather stations across the world to monitor global weather hazards.
It identifies extreme events using a colour-coded system, issues predictions for the next few days, and helps inform any decision to trigger an alert to Emiratis and residents who are abroad at the time.
Severe floods in Spain and the devastating Turkey-Syria earthquake, as well as approaching tropical storms, are examples of where such an alert could prove critical but the system could operate in any country where there is a hazard.
How the system works
More details are expected but if there is an earthquake, for example; an alert flashes on screen; gives the location; details about the event; severity; details on potential aftershocks; and then ministry teams can trigger a warning if needed, giving advice on what people should do such as take action, be careful or avoid.
“The result is a pop-up that flashes, so immediately the ministry’s operation room sees," said Dr Al Ebri. "But also the severity of the incident."
The system is open for Emiratis and residents, and alerts are sent by text message to a person’s phone. Dr Al Ebri said people must have a UAE-registered mobile phone to receive alerts.
The interface was created for the ministry but Dr Al Ebri said it could in the future assist other countries looking to build their own early warning system. “It is very, very useful."
Global priority
Early warning systems have become a global priority to save lives in the face of more extreme weather events.
The UN in 2022 launched a plan to put every person in range of early warning weather systems within five years, as natural disasters have grown more powerful and frequent that scientists say the pattern is linked to climate change.
These systems are seen as crucial in helping people deal with potentially lethal events such as wildfires, drought and floods. It called for an investment of $3.1 billion between 2023 and 2027, equivalent to a cost of only 50 cents per person per year.
“People in Africa, South Asia, South and Central America, and the inhabitants of small island states are 15 times more likely to die from climate disasters,” said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the time.
“These disasters displace three times more people than war. And the situation is getting worse. Countries with limited early warning coverage have disaster mortality eight times higher than countries with high coverage.”
A World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) study in 2023 found only half of the world’s countries had adequate early warning systems.
Celeste Saulo, secretary general of the WMO, said boosting global warning systems was a priority for her term as head of the UN weather agency. The first woman and South American to lead the UN weather agency took up her post in January and said 30 less-developed countries susceptible to extreme weather had been identified for such systems to be developed.
“Adapting to climate change is not a choice but an essential necessity,” she said in January. “It is about building resilient communities, especially in the most vulnerable regions, capable of resisting to and recovering from climate-related disasters.”
The UAE has stepped up efforts in recent years to bolster its response to emergencies. The National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority developed an early warning system for situations that affect the UAE.
Alerts are regular sent across numerous channels when the UAE is faced with an emergency and phone alerts are common during these times.
“Early warning systems are very important in the case of extreme weather events as they can provide the needed time to act and save lives and belongings,” said Dr Diana Francis, an assistant professor and head of the Environmental and Geophysical Science (Engeos) Lab at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi.
Dr Francis said it was important to receive accurate information from a trusted source. “It is something similar to the security alert nationals of a given country will get in case of security/war issues in the country they are in," she said. "This new system is specifically for weather and natural hazard events.”
Climate change in the Middle East - in pictures
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
57%20Seconds
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RESULT
Los Angeles Galaxy 2 Manchester United 5
Galaxy: Dos Santos (79', 88')
United: Rashford (2', 20'), Fellaini (26'), Mkhitaryan (67'), Martial (72')
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COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
Company%20profile
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Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
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Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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Four stars
Abu Dhabi World Pro 2019 remaining schedule:
Wednesday April 24: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-6pm
Thursday April 25: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-5pm
Friday April 26: Finals, 3-6pm
Saturday April 27: Awards ceremony, 4pm and 8pm
