Latest news with #Sweihan
The National
a day ago
- Health
- The National
Thousands of outdoor workers offered support to deal with soaring temperatures
After two months of record temperatures in the UAE, authorities in Sharjah are offering advice on how to stay safe in extreme heat. Summer has arrived early as the UAE experienced its hottest May on record, with peak daily temperatures averaging higher than 40°C, with the mercury rising to 51.6°C in the Sweihan area. It followed the hottest April since records began in the early 2000s. The Ministry of Health and Prevention has now stepped in with targeted health campaigns to protect those most at risk. Outdoor workers, the elderly and infirm are most likely to suffer from the effects of exposure to heat, and the ministry is working alongside the Sharjah Supreme Council for Family Affairs to launch the 14th Heat Exhaustion and Disease Prevention Campaign. It aims to coincide with the midday work ban period that comes into force throughout July and August, to reduce exposure of construction workers during the hottest time of day. 'Let me be clear, protecting workers from heat-related illnesses isn't just a health issue,' said Mohammed Al Zarooni, director of the ministry's Representative Office in Sharjah. 'It's a national duty, a moral responsibility and a shared commitment that calls for all of us to work together. Through this campaign, we're emphasising the importance of early preparation and timely action. "It shows how prevention is not just a policy goal; it's a shared national responsibility. And more importantly, it sends a clear message of support and solidarity to our labour communities, who are a vital part of our society.' Support on site Education will be delivered on site for workers, to focus on risks and symptoms of heat exhaustion. It will also offer advice on first-aid practices and prevention methods to avoid heat-related illness that range from a rash or cramps to exhaustion and heat stroke in extreme cases. Medically, hyperthermia is classified when someone's temperature rises above their baseline average, usually 37°C. The government campaign will target 10,000 workers with free medical check-ups, including blood pressure and glucose testing, eye exams and blood donation drives. Meanwhile, inspection campaigns by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation will be stepped up across work sites in Sharjah to ensure compliance with the midday work ban. Workers will also be offered protective equipment, food and drinking water. "This campaign reaffirms Sharjah's deep and ongoing commitment to public health, especially during the summer months, when high temperatures pose serious challenges to one of the most important segments of our society: our field workers,' said Mona Al Hawai, of the ministry's Health Promotion Department. 'Protecting the health of our community, especially those who may not always have direct access to services, is at the core of what we do. Through this campaign, we're going to deliver health lectures directly at work sites, offer basic medical check-ups and distribute protective supplies in multiple languages so that health information is not only available but accessible to everyone who needs it.' Data from the World Health Organisation showed that of about 489,000 heat-related deaths each year, most are in Asia and Europe. Last year, there were 269 deaths in India thought to be related to high temperatures. A further 161 recorded deaths were directly linked to heatstroke, as reported by India's National Centre for Disease Control. In Europe, the WHO estimates the current annual death toll of 175,000 related to extreme heat will climb in the years ahead. Vulnerable workers Delivery riders in the UAE are often exposed to extreme summer heat. Employers are stepping up support by increasing the number of shaded rest areas and introducing other packages to protect riders from heatstroke. Through its corporate responsibility programme, Careem is offering delivery captains flexible shifts to avoid peak heat hours and has introduced air-conditioned mobile rest areas, hydration kits and free health check-ups for those choosing to work during the hottest hours. "Summer in the UAE presents significant challenges for delivery work,' said Mudassir Sheikha, chief executive and co-founder of Careem. 'To ensure our captains feel supported during the hottest months of the year, we regularly host workshops to understand their needs and how we can help. This year we've extended these services to more than 60,000 delivery captains across the UAE – not just those working with Careem." Food delivery firm Deliveroo provides riders with cooling vests to help reduce body temperature and also has rest areas located in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The company also has what it calls a Roo Bus, which acts as a pitstop area. The firm says "cooled buses are accessible to riders throughout the week, allowing riders to take a break from the weather" in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ajman, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. "Rider safety and wellbeing is a top priority for Deliveroo and we have been working and continue to work with the authorities, our rider agencies and partners on ways to support riders, especially over the summer season," said a Deliveroo spokesperson.
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Climate
- Khaleej Times
UAE weather: Temperatures hit 50.5°C in Al Ain today
UAE temperatures have reached a high of 50.5°C on Tuesday, June 17, the country's National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said. It was recorded at 2.30pm local time in Sweihan, Al Ain.
The National
7 days ago
- Climate
- The National
UAE temperatures top 50°C again as summer approaches
UAE temperatures on Friday topped 50°C for the third time in as many weeks, with a sizzling summer season still in store. The mercury rose to 50.1°C in the town of Sweihan in Al Ain at 12.30pm, the National Centre of Meteorology said. Temperatures exceeded 48°C in several other parts of the Emirates amid an early start to the summer season, which is due to begin on June 21. The searing conditions are nothing new for Sweihan, which once claimed the mantle of the hottest place on Earth after temperatures climbed to 51.8°C on June 6, 2021. Sweltering Sweihan Sweihan made history once again last month after temperatures hit 51.6°C on May 24, making for the month's hottest day on record in the UAE. It followed the previous day's record of 50.4°C, also in the Abu Dhabi emirate, and beat the existing May record of 50.2°C in 2009 at Um Azimul in the Al Ain region and Fujairah airport. The UAE experienced its hottest May on record with peak daily temperatures averaging more than 40°C, having already had its hottest April. The high temperatures prompted the NCM to issue a heat warning in April, urging people to drink fluids, avoid direct exposure to the sun, ensure children are not left in cars and to make sure pets have plenty to drink. This year's heat compares starkly with 2024, when the UAE in April was hit by severe floods. It stands in further contrast to 2023, when the UAE experienced its coldest April on record.
Arabian Business
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Arabian Business
UAE temperature passes 50 degrees ahead of sizzling summer
Temperatures in parts of the UAE passed 50 degrees on Friday, as the country continues to sizzle ahead of Summer. The hottest temperatures in the UAE were recorded at Sweihan in Al Ain, where thermometers recorded a high of 50.1°C, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). The five highest temperatures in the country on Friday, June 13 were: Sweihan: 50.1°C at 12.30pm UAE University: 48.8°C at 1pm Al Qattara: 48.6°C at 2.45pm Hamim: 48.4°C at 2pm Raknah: 48.4°C at 1.15pm UAE weather forecast The NCM gave this forecast for the coming days Saturday, June 14: Fair in general and clouds appear Eastward by afternoon. Humid by night and Sunday morning over some coastal areas. Light to moderate Southeasterly to Northeasterly winds, with a speed of 10–20kmph reaching 30kmph. The sea will be slight in the Arabian Gulf and in Oman Sea Sunday, June 15: Fair in general and partly cloudy over some Eastern areas. Light to moderate Southeasterly to Northeasterly winds, with a speed of 10–20kmph reaching 30kmph. The sea will be slight in the Arabian Gulf and in Oman Sea Monday, June 16: Fair in general and partly cloudy over some Eastern areas. Humid by night and Tuesday morning with a probability of mist formation over some coastal and internal areas. Light to moderate Southeasterly to Northeasterly winds, with a speed of 10–20kmph reaching 30kmph. The sea will be slight in the Arabian Gulf and in Oman Sea Tuesday, June 17 June: Fair in general and clouds appear Eastward. Humid by night and Wednesday morning with a probability of mist formation over some coastal and internal areas. Light to moderate Southeasterly to Northeasterly winds, freshening at times during daytime, with a speed of 10–25kmph reaching 35kmph. The sea will be slight to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and in Oman Sea
Khaleej Times
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Temperatures hit 50.1°C in Al Ain as summer heat peak nears
UAE temperatures have reached 50.1°C this afternoon in Al Ain, the country's National Centre of Meteorology said on Friday. It was recorded at 12.30pm local time in Sweihan, it added. Earlier in June, temperatures in the UAE were soaring, with mercury touching 50.8°C in Sweihan on June 9.
