A waterlogged street in the Old Airport area after a light shower in Doha yesterday. Pic: Abdul Basit/ The Peninsula
Parts of the country received light rains yesterday and more showers accompanied by strong winds are expected today.
Grey clouds looming over the country brought the first rains of the season yesterday afternoon in Doha and Al Khor. Light to moderate rains were reported in various areas in Doha by 2pm, which took a brief break. It then drizzled later in the evening.
Today Qatar is expected to get heavier rains at places along with sudden strong winds reaching up to 25 knots, according to Qatar Meteorology Department (MET). The department has urged all to avoid sea activities until Saturday, as the weather conditions are expected to prevail until then.
Rains were reported from various parts of Doha, West Bay and also in Al Khor, yesterday. However, Industrial Area, outer areas of the city and southern parts including Al Wakrah, Wukair and Mesaieed did not receive the wet spells. Earlier, light drizzles were reported in northern and western parts of the country.
Slight traffic congestion was reported on some of the major roads in the evening while some inner areas had slight waterlogging issues. Added to this, many reported seeing whirl winds near Al Khor. The gush of wind that appears as a small tornado is called Gustnado commonly, and locally ‘Alafore’, according to the MET department. These are specific type of short-lived, low-level rotating clouds that can form in a severe thunderstorm. Number of people uploaded Gustnado videos taken from around Al Khor.
