Govt entities told to ready water-tight weather plan
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has directed heads of Dubai Government entities to develop a comprehensive proactive plan to further enhance Dubai’s preparedness for dealing with unexpected weather conditions.
The directive came during a meeting Sheikh Hamdan held with heads of Dubai Government entities. The meeting was atended by Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; and Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai’s Supreme Commitee of Crisis and Disaster Management. During the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan reviewed the rapid progress achieved in restoring normalcy across Dubai following the severe weather conditions.
He stated that the challenges Dubai encountered in recent days provide an opportunity for the emirate to enhance its emergency response systems and create a new mechanism backed by proactive plans to manage various scenarios.
Sheikh Hamdan said he is closely monitoring the situation along with government entities to address the challenges that emergency response teams faced following the extreme weather.
He further said that Dubai, guided by the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, seeks to continuously learn from past experiences and develop proactive plans to deal with all challenges. Adverse weather conditions have offered an opportunity for further improvement in the emirate’s crisis readiness plans, he added. The safety of every citizen, resident and visitor continues to be the Dubai Government’s highest priority.
Earlier during the day, Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Airports, announced that Dubai International Airport (DXB) will resume normal operations within 24 hours, signifying a return to its full capacity and regular schedule.
Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 have already begun gradual normalisation, resulting in smoother movement, he said in a statement to WAM.
Emphasising passenger safety as the top priority, Al Joker highlighted collaborative efforts among airport teams, partners, and airlines to ensure a swit return to normalcy and support affected travellers.
Regarding the efforts made over the past hours and days, Al Joker emphasised that the airport’s response and emergency teams, various departments and strategic partners, and airlines have worked extensively to coordinate efforts to return to normal on the one hand, and to support and assist affected passengers and guests on the other. Air Arabia has resumed scheduled operations from Sharjah International Airport as of 04:00 on Thursday.
In a statement on its official X account, the airline said that regarding all flights cancelled on 16th and 17th April due to severe weather conditions in the UAE and the region, passengers with cancelled bookings will receive a full credit voucher for the amount paid.
This credit voucher can be used for future flight bookings. Alternatively, passengers have the option of a full cash refund.
Dubai-based airline flydubai announced the resumption of operations from both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 at Dubai International (DXB), with delays expected to the flight schedule.
In its statement, the airline said that its teams are working hard to minimise the disruption to passengers’ travel plans, extending its appreciation to passengers for their patience and understanding.
Passengers whose bookings have been cancelled will be contacted and will be offered a full refund, and passengers who have booked through a Travel Agent are advised to contact them directly for their refund or rebooking options, the airline stated.
Three Filipinos died as a result of the typhoon and floods that slashed the UAE on late on Monday evening and throughout Tuesday.
Without identifying the victims, Philippine Labour Atache in Dubai and the Northern Emirates John Rio Bautista said that the deaths took place in Dubai and Sharjah as confirmed by police authorities.
Bautista also said that “two women died of suffocation inside their vehicle during the flood in Sharjahanda47-year-oldmansuccumbedtoafatal vehicular accident on Tuesday evening in Dubai.”
Dubai holds meeting to review situation and the rapid progress achieved in restoring normalcy after deluge; Dubai Airports returns to full capacity; Air Arabia, flydubai resume operations.