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Waterlogged roads in Dubai to be cleared by today

Emergency teams are working round the clock.

Dubai — Major waterlogging on Dubai roads as a result of the heavy rains the emirate witnessed in the last two days will be cleared by today, a senior Dubai Municipality official said. Emergency teams are working round the clock to handle rain-related issues.

“After the recent revamping of the rain committee as ‘Ghaith Dubai’ team, the municipality’s resource management has become stronger and more effective as four departments have been assigned to handle rain-related issues,” Mohammed Ahmed Al Rayees, Head of the Sewage and Drainage Executive Section at the Drainage and Irrigation Network Department, told Khaleej Times.

These are the departments of drainage and irrigation; drainage and irrigation network; waste management; and parks and horticulture. “Our people are working round the clock in two shifts. The resources are allocated to places not connected to the network (drainage/storm water).”

The number of portable diesel pumps used to drain rainwater was increased from 42 to 80 on Monday night, with the maximum rainfall reaching 10mm at about 1am. “Our network has the capacity to hold 25mm of rainfall. These pumps are used in areas not connected to the network that is linked to 51 pump stations. The number of complaints received from Rashidiya has come down because of the extension of the network there.”

Al Qouz mayhem

Al Qouz Industrial area, which was one of the worst hit by torrential overnight rains, will get respite from storm water by the end of the year, said Al Rayees.

At the time of its announcement, the massive project for sewerage system and rainwater drainage for Al Qouz was scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2015. However, according to Al Rayees, the Dh84-million project named DS127 will now be commissioned by August.

“It will cover all four industrial areas in Al Qouz and we won’t see these issues when it rains next year,” he said.

The municipality sent four to six tankers to drain rainwater on Al Qouz. Many residents complained that cars could not wade through the accumulated water and traffic jams were reported in the area.

Shiny S.J, who lives in Al Khail Gate and works in Tecom area, said she was stuck in traffic for nearly four hours on her way to work. -sajila@khaleejtimes.com