Stranded witness an overflow of compassion from residents
UAE residents showcased remarkable compassion and unity as they came together to aid those stranded by the unprecedented rainfall on Tuesday. Shavez Khan, a young trainee auditor, fearlessly swam through flooded streets to rescue five car passengers trapped in an SUV submerged near City Walk. With the assistance of bystanders, Khan used a hammer to scale the car's roof, breaking through its glass to reach the trapped individuals just in time.
Elsewhere, real estate agent Deepak Mohan navigated his Landcruiser through deep waters throughout the night, transporting numerous individuals to safety. Among those he assisted were a pregnant nurse, a wheelchairbound woman, and a visiting Kazakh family.
Through a Rain Support Whatsapp group, residents opened their hearts and homes to strangers, offering shelter, food, and assistance during the crisis. Within minutes of its launch, the group became a central hub for coordination, with participants sharing contact information and locations of available accommodations.
In Business Bay, a family hosted six individuals overnight, while another family in Discovery Gardens accommodated three. Aslam, the initiator of the Whatsapp group, described how the initiative quickly gained momentum, highlighting the remarkable outpouring of support from the community.
Several restaurants and individuals also provided free meals to those affected by the flooding, further demonstrating the solidarity and compassion prevalent in the UAE during times of adversity.
Khan scales roof of SUV with hammer, smashes through its glass roof to reach five individuals trapped inside a submerged truck.
Shahvez Khan, a trainee, audit and assurance in Dubai, has captured the hearts of many with his brave actions during Tuesday’s unprecedented flood. Esha D’souza, CEO and Partner at Corporate Group, shared a gripping video on Linkedin, showcasing her teammate’s daring rescue mission.
The video reveals Khan scaling the roof of an SUV with a hammer, smashing through its glass roof to reach five individuals trapped inside a submerged truck.
Esha recounted how Khan, while walking around the area during heavy rainfall, spotted a yellow truck partially submerged near the City Walk underpass. Concerned if anyone was inside, he approached and heard faint thumping sounds coming from within the vehicle.
Without hesitation, Khan leaped into the water and swam to the truck, discovering people desperately trying to break free. With the assistance of three bystanders, Khan successfully pried open the rooftop and pulled all five occupants to safety, just moments before the truck was completely submerged.
“As the sunroof broke, they took the passengers out, and the passengers were in tears of joy and thanked them intensely for saving their lives,” shared Esha.
Despite sustaining minor injuries when he jumped into the water, Khan’s joy in saving lives overshadowed any discomfort.
“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost but the urge to serve others at whatever cost,” Esha said.
“We are honoured to have him as a member of our team and we stand behind him as a true hero,” she added. “Shahvez’s courage and selflessness serve as an inspiration to all of us, reminding us of the importance of standing up for what is right and helping those in need.”
Residents across Dubai have lauded Khan’s bravery and quick thinking, with many calling for bravery medals for his courageous act. The Empower Group also expressed gratitude, stating, “Shahvez Khan’s act of courage and selflessness is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing this incredible story, Esha. It’s moments like these that remind us of the power of community and the importance of helping one another in times of need.”