With waves topping 2.5 metres and rip-currents intensifying ahead of an expected thunderstorm cycle, Dubai Police issued a rare city-wide mobile alert on the evening of 13 December advising residents and tourists to avoid beaches, water channels and low-lying wadis. The warning complements an existing federal SMS alert but is notable for its direct instruction to abandon coastal recreation.
The advisory follows several near-drownings during last April’s flash floods and reflects lessons learned from the UAE’s National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) review. Beach lifeguard staffing has been doubled, and drones fitted with flotation capsules are on standby along JBR and Kite Beach.
![Dubai Police Push Emergency Beach Ban as Storm Swells; Public Urged to Stay Off Coast and Valleys]()
Corporate travel-risk consultants say the alert may affect incentive-trip itineraries that include dhow cruises, jet-ski sessions or desert wadi drives. Event planners are switching to indoor venues, and insurers remind policyholders that ignoring official safety directives can void cover.
For travellers weighing whether to postpone or reroute their time in the Emirates, VisaHQ’s dedicated UAE portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) streamlines e-visa applications and posts timely entry and safety updates, allowing visitors to adjust plans quickly when sudden beach or wadi restrictions are put in place.
The police emphasised that fines of up to AED 2,000 could be levied for disobeying officer instructions at cordoned-off zones. Employers were urged to cascade the message to staff and visitors through internal communication channels to minimise accidents and potential liability.
The advisory follows several near-drownings during last April’s flash floods and reflects lessons learned from the UAE’s National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) review. Beach lifeguard staffing has been doubled, and drones fitted with flotation capsules are on standby along JBR and Kite Beach.
Corporate travel-risk consultants say the alert may affect incentive-trip itineraries that include dhow cruises, jet-ski sessions or desert wadi drives. Event planners are switching to indoor venues, and insurers remind policyholders that ignoring official safety directives can void cover.
For travellers weighing whether to postpone or reroute their time in the Emirates, VisaHQ’s dedicated UAE portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) streamlines e-visa applications and posts timely entry and safety updates, allowing visitors to adjust plans quickly when sudden beach or wadi restrictions are put in place.
The police emphasised that fines of up to AED 2,000 could be levied for disobeying officer instructions at cordoned-off zones. Employers were urged to cascade the message to staff and visitors through internal communication channels to minimise accidents and potential liability.
