KUWAIT: State departments are put on high alert as the rainy season is set to start as early as today, with heavier showers predicted for tomorrow according to local weather forecasts. Scattered mid-range showers are expected for three days starting from today, followed by a temperature drop at the weekend, a meteorologist suggested yesterday. The rains, which will reach their peak tomorrow, are a result of low surface pressure arriving from Europe which will be focused over the eastern Mediterranean region, the Meteorological Department’s Abdulazeez Al-Qarawi said. The spread of the Sudan low pressure zone to the southwestern regions of the Arabian Peninsula met by low upper atmospheric pressure and the polar jet stream are other factors, added Qarawi.
As for the state of the sea, he said it might lead to a rise in waves as winds transform from medium northwesterly to active as of Wednesday. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti authorities have announced their readiness to contain the expected downpour.
These preparations include maintenance works for water pumps and the distribution of inflatable rescue boats in areas where the water is expected to be concentrated, said Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) Media Relations and Press head Khaleel Al-Ameer. Ameer advised home owners to unclog their drains and to make sure that their electrical wiring is not exposed and safety installations are in full working order. KFSD is also ready to respond to any emergency situation that may arise through its 112 emergency hotline, he added.
Today’s weather forecast is predicted to be partly cloudy to cloudy with a chance for scattered rain, while tomorrow’s weather is predicted to be cloudy with a chance for rain that might be thundery at times. Temperature is expected to drop as low as 12 C degrees Thursday night, according to the weather forecast posted on Kuwait Meteorological Department’s website yesterday.
By Meshaal Al-Enezi and KUNA
