Heavy rains hit RAK, mercury to dip 

Ras Al Khaimah - Four underground reservoirs, wall built to prevent flooding

Heavy rains lashed different parts of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, particularly Jebel Jais - the highest peak in the country.  
Rough sea, high waves, fierce winds and accumulated clouds are expected mainly on the northern-eastern parts of the emirate, according to the UAE's National Center of Meteorology.
"The mercury is also expected to drop by two degrees Celsius as compared to the last few days."
The department of public works in Ras Al Khaimah has deployed tankers and staffers to drain out the accumulated rainwater from the roads and squares of the emirate.
Eng Ahmed Al Hammadi, director-general of the department, said they had braced up for the showers with 80 tankers and 40 pumping machines.
"The department, which has recently drained out over 40 million gallons of rainwater, has come up with efficient and practical solutions to prevent rainwater from flooding the houses of Emirati people at the valleys and mountains."
"We have removed all the edifices, farms and makeshift houses illegally built on the streams of the valleys."
"Most of these were on the Wadi Shawka, as well as the Al Fahleen, Al Manaei, and Shamal areas which have been flooded by the seasonal showers over the last years."
The department has further fixed all the low areas, residential blocks, and houses alongside the valley streams at the southern and northern regions of the emirate, he added. "These low-level areas mostly turn into water ponds due to the heavy showers."
To eradicate the problem, the department has also built four underground reservoirs for collecting rainwater and preventing them from flooding the close roads and houses, Al Hammadi pointed out.
"We have also built a high concrete wall to prevent the overfilled valleys from flooding the houses of Emirati nationals situated alongside the valleys."
Earlier this year, the department conducted a comprehensive study of all the roads and residential areas of the emirate which were mostly affected and flooded with winter showers.
"The four underground reservoirs, 12 square meters each, will put an end to the accumulated water, particularly as they have been built in the middle road islands to keep traffic flow and avoid road closure by water tankers in case these reservoirs are up to the brim." 
More ground reservoirs are scheduled at all low-level residential areas, he stated. "The drains on the road shoulders have been connected with the rainwater drainage system."
The wall built in areas near Al Fahleen, Wadi Shawka, and Shamal will stop seasonal showers from flooding nearby houses, Al Hammadi underlined. "The wall will help divert the stream of the valley."
The RAK Police have also deployed traffic patrols to ensure traffic flow and recover the stuck and non-functioning vehicles, if any, according to official sources.
"No serious traffic accident has been reported on the roads and highways of the emirate due to the ongoing showers."
However, all motorists need to be alert, focussed as well as careful, and reduce speed on the road during the rain, he noted.
"Seafarers, beach and valleys goers, and motorists are urged to be more cautious during the unstable weather."
Residents of the areas exposed to downpours and strong winds, are requested to be wary, and immediately call (999) in case of emergency, they said.
"All residents are advised to avoid mountainous areas, and the strong currents of the valleys. Motorists are requested to reduce speed, be attentive on the road, turn on the light, and observe traffic rules for road users' safety and theirs."
- ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Ras Al Khaimah