Residents across parts of the UAE woke up to light to moderate rains along with thunder and lightning on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, after predictions by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) forecasted showers over coastal and Western areas. Rain alerts were issued for major urban centers, including Dubai, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.
Motorists commuting to work experienced light rains throughout the early morning, particularly in areas like Al Aweer, Al Quoz, The Palm Jumeirah, and Deira. A video taken by Khaleej Times displayed moderate rains recorded in Al Quoz at around 6:45 AM. Lightning and thunder were prominent across parts of Dubai, especially along the coast near Jebel Ali, contributing to overcast skies observed on Sheikh Zayed Road.
The NCM also issued yellow alerts for rough seas, warning residents to exercise caution during outdoor activities. Wave heights were expected to rise to 6 feet until 11 AM on Tuesday, accompanied by light to moderate northeasterly winds reaching up to 40 km/h, causing potentially hazardous conditions.
Temperatures were forecasted to see lows of 16°C across internal areas, climbing to highs of 29°C in mountainous regions—a notable shift from the sunlit sky noted on the preceding day.
Interestingly, this shift to damp weather came shortly after conflicting reports circulated on social media about flooding incidents. A video, claimed to show Dubai inundated on March 5, 2025, went viral, falsely linking it with recent events. The video, captioned "Dubai m phir hoi baarish" (it’s raining again in Dubai), generated significant concern, with many believing it depicted severe weather conditions affecting the city.
Fact-checking outlet NewsMobile investigated the source of the viral claim, concluding the video was misleading. Conducting thorough research, they uncovered the footage originated from Japan, showing the catastrophic tsunami following the 2011 earthquake, rather than any recent rainfall or flooding event. The evidence was solidified with visual confirmations across credible news sources like the BBC, reinforcing the finding.
While heavy rains did occur on March 5, coinciding with the ICC Champions Trophy held at the Dubai Cricket Stadium where the first semifinal match (India vs Australia) greeted teams basking under bright sunshine on March 4. According to NewsMobile's analysis, the weather forecast for March 5 clearly indicated sunny conditions, thereby debunking claims of any serious flooding.
Public discourse surrounding the accurate reflection of weather events emphasizes the importance of relying on verifiable sources over sensationalized or erroneous media shared on platforms like Instagram. Misinterpretation of online content, especially concerning serious issues like natural disasters, can lead to public panic and misinformation proliferations.
Residents and social media users are now urged to cautiously approach viral content and verify information against credible reports, particularly whereby safety is concerned. The NCM has been active in warning residents of such occurrences, particularly about safety during adverse weather.
All the evidence suggests Tuesday's rains do not indicate any severe weather threats but merely serve as reminders for preparedness and safety practices during unpredictable climatic changes typical within the region.
With vigilance, the community can enjoy the rain and its benefits without succumbing to misleading narratives driving fear unjustly. Stationed at the forefront of weather monitoring, the NCM continually works to keep the public informed, ensuring local residents remain safe and prepared for any weather changes.