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Heavy rains in UAE: Hotels offer stranded residents free shelter after road networks damaged

Many Fujairah residents have lost electricity connection in their homes too

Hotels in rain-affected emirates of the UAE have been accommodating stranded residents after torrential showers hit several parts of the country, Wednesday.

Palace Beach Resort Fujairah has confirmed that last night it hosted five families after they were stranded and couldn’t reach their homes safe due to the heavy rains. The hotel might extend the stay depending on conditions.

“It was our honour to host the families last night,” said David Simon, Area General Manager  “We strive to be an asset for our communities. We sincerely hope that all those affected by last night’s weather remain safe and we offer our families an extension of stay until the conditions improve.”

Emergency teams from Dubai Police have been helping the rescue operations in Fujairah after His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, directed the Ministry of Interior to deploy rescue teams from all nearby emirates to support the emirate and other eastern regions of the country.

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Sheikh Mohammed has also directed the Ministry of Community Development to transfer all families affected by rain and floods in the country's eastern regions to temporary shelters.

Several residents have reported being stuck in the emirate after heavy rain caused widespread damage to road networks. Many Fujairah residents have lost electricity connection at their homes after water swept in. Some have resorted to charging their phones in their cars.

“What has occurred is a rare phenomenon,” said weather enthusiast Sajjad. The Dubai resident has been following weather patterns in the country for several years now. “Usually when low pressure is formed over Rajasthan, it either hits Oman or Yemen or Iran. However, this time it has hit the UAE. I would like to warn people against venturing out to see the rain. There are a lot of damages everywhere. Authorities are working hard to make sure people are safe. Please don’t try to be adventurous and ignore official warnings.”