UAE: People opt for public transport, carpool to reach workplace in Dubai, Sharjah

As heavy rainfall continues to lash various parts of the UAE, including Dubai and Sharjah, residents are adapting to the challenging weather conditions by going for alternative modes of transportation. With waterlogged roads, many have turned to public transport or carpooling to ensure a smooth commute to work.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has predicted bad weather for nearly two days in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, advising residents to prepare for unsettled conditions. Heavy rainfall, accompanied by hailstorms in many areas, is being experienced in many parts of the country since Tuesday morning.

Public transport becomes a lifeline

Mohammed Usman, a Sudanese resident residing in Al Nahda, travelled by public transport to his business establishment in Al Ras. “I usually drive to work, but with the roads submerged in water, it's just not safe to drive. I walked to the Dubai border and opted for a bus to Stadium Metro Station,” said Usman.

“From there, I hopped on the Metro to reach my office in Al Ras. I'm not taking out my car, at least I know I'll get to the workplace without any trouble,” added Usman.

Another resident, Ahmed al Najar, an Egyptian expat whose car was partially in water said that he wasn't able to get it out. “Getting the car out was a risk that would damage essential components. So I opted to call for a cab to commute to my office,” said Al Najar.

“Also, I did not want to risk getting stuck in traffic or damaging my car in the heavy rain. Taking the cab is a bit of inconvenience as I have to commute within Dubai, compared to the hassle of driving,” said Al Najar.

Community bonding through carpools

In addition to opting for public transport, many residents have resorted to carpooling as a practical solution. Those with low ground clearance cars chose to commute with neighbors who own SUVs to navigate through the waterlogged streets safely.

“I offered to carpool with my neighbor who has an SUV, because my car would never make it through these flooded roads,” said Ravi Das, a of Al Nahda in Dubai. “It's great to see people coming together and helping each other out during these challenging times,” said Das.

Ittihad Road from Sharjah to Dubai, which usually faces bumper-to-bumper traffic, was seen with minimal traffic during the morning rush hour, with only a few vehicles braving the bad weather.

Opting for work-from-home

Meanwhile, some residents have chosen to work from their homes to avoid the hassle of commuting.

“I've decided to work from home today. It's just not worth the risk of getting stuck in traffic or dealing with flooded roads,” said Khalid, a sales executive at a real estate firm in Dubai. “Thankfully, my company has flexible work arrangements, so I can still get my work done without having to brave the bad weather,”

Navigating through water puddles

Residents who left their homes for the office around 8.45 am faced significant delays as it started pouring down heavily, with many not reaching their destinations until 10 am due to roads submerged in water in various parts of Dubai and Sharjah.