It may rain again in Qatar on Monday and during the coming weekend, according to the weather forecast.
The ongoing spell of low temperatures is likely to continue across the country on Monday and there is also a warning for strong winds and high seas in offshore areas.
The temperature had dropped sharply on Saturday and similar conditions prevailed on Sunday as well. Windy and dusty conditions were also reported from different places on Sunday.
Prior to the cold spell, the country experienced rainfall over a nearly week-long period, with particularly heavy showers recorded in Doha and elsewhere late on Thursday and Friday.
The rain may not be over yet as the Met department on Sunday tweeted that “partly cloudy to cloudy skies” were expected during the weekend and there are chances of scattered rain – which may be thundery at times - over some areas.
Also, the detailed forecast for inshore areas on Monday says it will be partly cloudy and there is a “weak chance of light rain in some places at times”. Mild daytime conditions are also expected along with slight dust.
Offshore areas, too, are likely to see dusty conditions at times along with some clouds. The wind speed in these areas (northwesterly) may go up to 28 knots in some places occasionally, with the sea level rising to 9ft.
On Sunday, a minimum temperature of 8C was recorded in Al Khor, Turayna, Batna and Karana, 9C in Sheehaniya and Ghuwairiya and 10C in the Qatar University area, Abu Samra, Wakrah, Al Rayyan and Jumayliyah. Also, the minimum was 11C in the Hamad International Airport area and 12C in the Doha airport area.
A minimum temperature of 10C is likely in Al Khor on Monday, followed by 11C in Mesaieed, Wakrah and Abu Samra, and 12C in Doha. The maximum, on the other hand, will range from 15C to 18C in the country.
162.6mn gallons of rainwater drained
The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) on Sunday said rain emergency teams had drained out around 162.6mn gallons of rainwater from different places in the country from Tuesday dawn until Sunday noon.
This was done in 28,841 batches using 351 tankers and some 643 workers and employees were also involved.
A statement from the MME also said the number of reports to pump out rainwater – recorded at municipal and Public Works Authority (Ashghal) emergency operation rooms - amounted to 2,806.
The rain emergency committee affirmed that work would go on until all accumulated rainwater had been drained out completely across the country.
The accompanying images show three areas and how they looked before and after rainwater removal work.