Sharjah Builds Dams for Harvesting Rain Water

Sultan Al Mualla, Director-General of the Sharjah Municipality, said: “We have implemented a plan to face the challenges that may arise during the rainy season which we expect will start soon. Small dams have been set up in the areas mostly clogged during rains.”

The areas that get water-logged the most include Emirates Road, Al Dhaid Road heading towards Sharjah International Airport and industrial areas. “High priority has been given to these areas because they affect the traffic circulation in the city. The highways are also the vital ones since they connect the Northern Emirates 
to Dubai.”

Drain networks in the industrial areas have been extended and improved in cooperation with the Civil Defence and Traffic Department of Sharjah Police to ensure smooth traffic movement during rains and curb damage due to fire accidents.

“The municipality has informed the contractors to drain water from their construction sites, as this usually leads to flooding of roads,” he said.

The municipality has introduced a new pumping system and has 90 tankers ready to drain water out of any 
affected area.

Areas that were uneven have now been levelled out and the majority of trenches have been closed.

“An Emergency Committee has been formed and will be on stand-by 24 hours a day to deploy teams to unclog any drainage pipe, and to pump out water from flooded roundabouts or main intersections.”

The Sewage Section has also made the necessary arrangements by improving the sewerage in industrial and residential areas, in addition to paving the interior roads.

“We have divided the city into sectors, and each sector has a team to manage the areas that might be affected by the rain,” said Al Mualla, stressing that residents should call the municipality hotline number 993 to report any rain-related complaints or emergencies,” 
he said. — afkarali@khaleejtimes.ae