Persistent odours across UAE prompt discomfort as authorities monitor situation
By Dubai Currents Staff2 min read
Unusually strong smells, described by some as resembling fuel or kerosene, have affected residents in at least four emirates for a third consecutive day, prompting changes to daily routines and reports of mild health symptoms.
Residents report allergy-like symptoms
Dubai resident Sarah said she and her son began sneezing as soon as they stepped outside on Monday after picking him up from school. “Throughout the day, we had a runny nose and itchy eyes. Then on Tuesday, when we went to the Barsha area, we could smell the odour as well,” she said.
Some residents took to social media to speculate about the source of the smell, which has lingered in parts of Dubai, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain and other emirates.
Authorities say no threat
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said on Wednesday that assessments showed “no cause for concern” and that response teams were conducting field monitoring to reduce the odours and “accelerate their dissipation”. On Tuesday, Sharjah Police also addressed the issue, stating the situation was under control and did not pose a threat.
A number of government entities are coordinating to investigate the cause of the odours, officials added.
Changes to daily routines
Umm Al Quwain resident Lois said the smell was so strong on Tuesday that she kept her dogs indoors. “I could feel a metallic taste in my mouth,” she said. “I shut all the doors and windows and we all stayed indoors the whole day.”
Sharjah resident Khawla said her family ordered food instead of cooking on Monday evening because they feared a gas leak. “The smell was so strong that we all got worried. We checked the gas cylinder multiple times but could not find any issue. We didn’t want to take a chance, so we ordered food. Later, when we searched online, we found on various messaging boards that several others had faced the same issue,” she said.
Another resident, Majid from Umm Al Quwain, said he developed a migraine after two days of the smell and visited a doctor on Tuesday. “The smell is better now but has yet to completely go away. I hope authorities can resolve the matter as soon as possible,” he said.
