Dubai: Unstable weather and thunderstorms are likely to continue on Thursday in several parts of the country due to a low pressure area before it gives way to sunny skies this weekend, the Met Office said on Wednesday.

“Weather will remain unstable during daytime, the amount of clouds will increase over scattered areas, accompanied by thunder and towering clouds, especially over the northern and eastern areas, with a chance of scattered rain with different intensity,” according to a weather alert from the UAE Met Office. With the instability in weather conditions, it is difficult to predict where the thunderclouds would be but all residents are advised to be cautious.

Abu Dhabi: A massive thunderstorm that hit the capital on Wednesday caused widespread property damage, throwing life out of gear in several parts of the city. There was no official word on deaths or injuries.

Flying debris from construction sites, broken windows in high-rise offices and hotel towers and uprooted trees and road signs were reported by residents, most of whom stayed indoors to avoid the havoc.

Abu Dhabi: The UAE will not allow itself to be sidetracked by oil prices or geopolitical situations in the neighbourhood, a top official of the Abu Dhabi government said at the NBAD Global Financial Markets Forum on Wednesday.

“It’s [the geopolitical issues] a sideshow. We are watching, and we are doing the proper planning and execution. We have a robust strategy to deal with different situations,” said Khalifa Salem Al Mansouri, Undersecretary of Department of Economic Development, Abu Dhabi.

UMM AL QUWAIN // Work on the first phase of a Dh200 million landfill site has begun.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said the 562,000 square metre project will be completed by 2017.