Sultan directs assessment of damage caused by rain
His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has instructed the relevant authorities in the emirate to promptly initiate the assessment of damages caused by recent weather conditions.
The Ruler of Sharjah instructed the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure to revert the valley streams in Fujairah to their original courses. This decision comes ater altering their paths towards Kalba resulted in significant rainwater accumulations in residential areas in the city.
Sharjah Ruler further instructed the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure to reopen the valley drains in Fujairah, which were previously filled in resulting in significant rainwater accumulations in residential neighbourhoods within the city.
The directive entails the Sharjah Police General Command, the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, and other entities to collaborate with the Social Services Department and municipalities and all competent authorities providing logistical support in operations to address the weather impacts to assess damages and expedite support provision for affected residents in the emirate.
Dr Sheikh Sultan commended the efforts of field teams, including government and military personnel, as well as citizens and residents volunteers, for their dedication and great efforts in managing the weather impact and ensuring the safety of all individuals while hastening the restoration of normalcy across the emirate.
The UAE’S National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) reported the possibility of the formation of some cumulus clouds, which may be accompanied by rain on Saturday. The NCM said rain may return by late Monday, though predicted it would be light with a chance of heavy rain again on Tuesday in some areas.
Under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and the follow-up of Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai’s Supreme Commitee of Crisis and Disaster Management, field teams from various government entities in the emirate continue to work around the clock to ensure the full restoration of services and smooth traffic flow on roads, following the recent extreme weather conditions experienced by the city.
Dubai Municipality’s emergency field teams include 160 supervisory and leadership personnel, 125 emergency communication coordinators, and 735 staff members, engineers, and technical observers from various disciplines overseeing 1,248 workers and drivers, along with 161 rescuers. These field emergency teams are equipped with extensive logistical support, including 146 heavy vehicles, 141 water pumps, 130 tanks, and 85 machines and light vehicles, to efficiently handle unexpected heavy rains.
A Egyptian expat known as Hazem Sweid, Head of Operational Risk at Banque Misr, UAE Branch, rescued a family trapped in the waters of the tunnel on Al Bidda Street in Dubai, whose vehicle almost sank. Sweid told Al Khaleej newspaper that he saw a car on which there were husband, wife, and a boy less than eight years old, screaming and shouting for help and trying to get out of the vehicle, whose doors were closed ater it broke down.
Dubai Airports urged passengers not to come to the airport unless their flight has been confirmed and recommended arriving only two hours before their scheduled departure. Inbound flights would be limited until Sunday due to disruptions, a Dubai Airports spokesperson said on Friday.
“Due to the ongoing disruption...dxb is temporarily limiting the number of inbound flights from 12:00 pm, 19 April for 48 hours,” the spokesperson said. “Departures will continue to operate,” the spokesperson added.
Emirates has also decided to suspend checkin for all customers across its network travelling with onward connections through Dubai, until 23:59 GMT on 19th April. This is to support operations recovery from the recent bad weather at its Dubai hub.
In a statement, Emirates said that passengers already in Dubai and in transit will continue to be processed for their flights.
Meanwhile, Dubai-based construction giant Emaar Properties said on Friday that it will repair all rain-related damage in its residential complexes free of charge.
Prominent Emirati businessman Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor said he would donate more than $4 million to assist Emirati nationals in repairing damaged homes.
Sharjah Ruler lauds efforts of field teams and volunteers for their dedication; Dubai intensifies operations to restore normalcy; Egyptian rescues Indian family from drowning in Dubai; Emirati businessman to assist citizens in repairing damaged homes.