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Chaos on the Roads

DUBAI — Sunday’s rain had its biggest impact on roads with deep and expansive water puddles reported especially on highways, including Shaikh Zayed Road and Emirates Road.

Abdulmajeed Saifae, Director of Drainage and Irrigation Network at Dubai Municipality, said the main stormwater system was coping with the downpour but nine tankers had been deployed in worse-affected areas to pump water away.

“Luckily, the mains networking is working 100 per cent — so far it has not been too heavy,” said Saifae, also head of the Dubai Rain Committee.

“We have about 300 people — drivers, technicians and labourers — also out on the roads.”

Saifae said the committee’s aim is to have roads completely clear within eight hours after rain ends.

“We are out pumping away puddles but water does accumulate and return within one or two hours,” he said.

Dubai Municipality is responsible for water or storm damage on internal roads and the Roads and Transport Authority maintains main roads and highways. Although motorists reported water depths of about four feet in some highway areas, the Roads and Transport Authority spokesperson on Sunday afternoon said traffic flow on highways had been restored.

Police said many cars had to be towed after they broke down in the rain. Extra traffic police patrols monitored roads and ambulance vehicles were placed across roads for quicker access to accidents.

About 70 per cent of Dubai is connected to the mains network but most of the remainder is serviced by property managers, mainly at new developments including International City, Greens, Springs and Meadows.

Some residents, mainly in northern emirates, had the water intrude in their homes. Other residents were sent home from work, or never left home for work, due to the rain.

Saeed Hussein, a resident of Khozam in Ras Al Khaimah, said that he is worried that water will flood into his house if heavier rains hit the emirate.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com

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• UAE