It’s lights out for 10 families in Dubai
dubai — Every night for the past eight days, Farida Majeed has been forced to put her two young children to bed in the dark.
And for the same eight days, her family of four has been living on quick-fix meals of cold rice as their electricity was cut off without warning.
Majeed’s family was one of 10 living without this basic amenity for more than one week.
But when Khaleej Times visited her home in a compound in Hor Al Anz, Dubai on Tuesday evening, she said just two families remained living there.
“We were all families living here, all with children and some women pregnant. Many have left now. They have gone to stay with relatives. Even one family flew back to India because they couldn’t live in these conditions.”
Majeed said the power was cut off on November 16 with little explanation as to why from the landlord.
Since then, the families have been charging their phones in local shops and many are spending their evenings outside in the courtyard, where street lamps offer some form of light.
Although Dewa have been responsive to their requests for power, the tenants have since learnt that it was actually Dubai Municipality (DM) that disconnected the service due to “several building regulation breaches” within the compound.
“Apparently warning notices were sent to the landlord, but we were not informed of this until the last minute.”
Majeed’s family — including 6-year-old daughter Duah and 2-year-old son Yaqeen — have been living in the compound for eight months.
Split into 14 rooms, it is now occupied by just two Indian families, including Arifa Abdulla and her husband.
Abdulla — who is in her first trimester of pregnancy — is here on a visit visa from Kerala to visit her husband. Speaking to Khaleej Times, she said she was due to return to India on December 1, so to seek alternative accommodation until then is of no use.
Apparently warning notices were sent to the landlord, but we were not informed of this until the last minute.” Majeed, one of the tenants
“I am finding it very difficult without electricity. We cannot cook, and moving around at night is worrisome,” she said.
And for Majeed, looking after her young family is becoming more difficult by the day.
She said her children are constantly asking questions like ‘why is it dark?’ and ‘why can’t we move?’.
“But to move is a tough option. We have little money and my daughter’s school is nearby,” she said.
Paying Dh3,000 a month for her two-room living quarters, Majeed said she has also been forced to spend more money on groceries too.
“Our fridge is not working so we have to buy milk and other products every day to feed the family because it won’t stay fresh otherwise.”
kelly@khaleejtimes.com