2m gallons of water cleared after heavy rain

Ras Al Khaimah - Tankers had to take 363 trips to unclog a number of roads and roundabouts.

Roads in Ras Al Khaimah were cleared of some two million gallons of surface water brought about by the recent downpour, the Department of Public Works said. Why is it raining so much in the UAE?

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Ahmed Hamad Al Shehi, an advisor to the department, said the team's tankers had to take 363 trips to unclog a number of roads and roundabouts.

"So far, we have drained out 1,815,000 gallons of water from four areas most affected by the showers, including Khuzam, Al Dhait, Shaam, and Al Jolan," Al Shehi said.

Working round the clock, the department also attended to a total of 126 emergency calls as heavy rains lashed the emirate.

"These include 112 reports on accumulated rainwater, eight on uprooted trees, and six on road landslides," he said.

Besides road blockage, the downpour also led to the evacuation of 49 people after some concrete slabs from the building they were staying in fell down.

The Red Crescent Authority, Ras Al Khaimah branch, came to the residents' rescue, moving a total of 11 families to hotel apartments.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah