Residents of the UAE Prepare for Heavy Rain

With the issuance of rainfall warnings in the UAE, residents of areas that have previously faced floods and waterlogging are not waiting for the rain to start this time. Some are moving their vehicles to higher ground, some are keeping store goods out of reach of water, and others are stocking up on drinking water and food for a few days.

The reason for this preparedness is the experience of past damages; from the waterlogged homes in Kalba in February 2024 to the submerged vehicles and damaged shops in Fujairah in July 2022.

Sharif Piyangadi, a resident of Fujairah, still remembers how water entered the sporting goods store where he worked during the 2022 flood, destroying goods worth thousands of dirhams. He says this time he intends to move items to higher shelves before the rain starts to avoid repeating the same damage.

For Omar Obaid, that rainfall left him with about 8,000 dirhams in car repair costs. He had parked his car near his home and went inside to stay safe from the rain, but the next morning he found his car partially submerged. This time he plans to move his car to a higher location before the rain starts.

In Kalba, Hamida Sheikh is also stocking up on food and drinking water for the days when flooding makes access to stores difficult.

Some businesses are also preparing. Sulaiman, a barber at a salon in Fujairah, says the flood in February 2024 destroyed everyday consumables in the shop, including towels, cream, and razors. This time, the staff plans to close the shop earlier before the rain starts and move supplies to higher ground.

In Hatta, Syed Ali and his family, who had to replace damaged furniture in their home during previous rains, are keeping an eye on the weather conditions. They will move items upstairs if necessary and have halted the renovation of their rural home until the weather improves.

Local social groups have also announced that they are ready to assist residents if needed.

The Ministry of Interior of the UAE has urged people to reduce their driving speed, follow safety guidelines, and stay away from valleys and areas where water accumulation or flow is likely. Drivers should also not pass through areas where water is flowing or has accumulated.

This ministry did not specify a particular city in its warning and has asked residents to follow official announcements and guidelines as weather conditions change.
Source: Gulf Times