Heavy rains in UAE: Residents comply with stay home advisory as red alert issued

The relentless heavy rains that lashed the eastern parts of the UAE have become an emergency for some residents. Authorities rescued stranded families in overnight operations, while some roads, tourist attractions and areas had to be closed as a safety measure.

With vehicles being swept away in flash floods, residents of rain-affected areas working in both public and private sectors were given the option to work from home.

Residents stay indoors

The Ministry of Interior advised residents in affected areas not to leave homes unless absolutely necessary, and many have been complying. Fujairah resident Raj Pattnaik has been staying home since alerts were issued.

“All non-essential government employees are working from home,” he said. “So are employees of many private companies. Only essential workers like emergency teams and hospital workers are going out. I have been staying home with my family. Roads are underwater, and many cars have been swept away. Several shops have also been flooded, making it difficult to get essential groceries.”

Another resident, Emaad Ahmed, a sales executive at a mall in Fujairah, said that it was difficult to move around the city as authorities advised residents to stay indoors.

“A few roads are clogged with water, and it is difficult to move around the city. Many cars were on the road submerged in water, and the recovery vehicles are seen taking them to the garage,”

“The authorities have done a good job rescuing people who were struck in the lanes with villas and small buildings,” added Ahmed.

A municipality worker at Kalba said they were moved to a safer place by the authorities, and many streets in the town were submerged. “It was raining heavily in Kalba, and the road was under water. To avoid any hazards, we were moved to a safer place by the authorities, for which I am really thankful,” said the worker.

Continuing rescue operations

Rescue operations are continuing in the UAE’s eastern region, where incessant rains have flooded homes, streets and shops in record-breaking rainfall that the hit the country.

Authorities evacuated stranded families in overnight operations, assisted by several good Samaritans and volunteers.

A video shared by the Ministry of Interior on Thursday shows Civil Defence officers rescuing a family in Fujairah’s Al Faseel area:

The video shows security personnel carrying a child to a rubber boat moored outside what looks like a villa. The footage then shows another rescued person inside the boat.

Another video the ministry shared shows officials wading through thigh-high floodwaters, with one officer carrying a child on his shoulders. This scene was from Kalba, where a family was rescued:

A video shared by the Dubai Police posted showed the force’s rescue teams in action in Fujairah:

• Watch: UAE wadis flood, dam overflows after heavy rains batter country