Police reopen Jebel Jais road after clearing rocks, debris

Ras Al Khaimah - The police had closed the road due to falling rocks and heavy rains.

With heavy rains and flash floods forcing the temporary closure of some key roads in Ras Al Khaimah, the department of public works has started repairing the affected roads. The road leading to Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the country, has been reopened.
The RAK Police reopened the road after clearing rocks and other debris in coordination with the department of public works. According to Col Ahmed Al Sam Al Naqbi, director of traffic and patrols department, the police had closed the road due to falling rocks and heavy rains.
The most rain-affected area was Ghalila to the north of the emirate, according to Ahmed Hamad Al Shei, head of emergency committee at the department. "Some parts to the south of the emirate, particularly the Nasla road at Al Manei area and Old Rafaq road, were severely affected by the heavy seasonal showers."
A top police official said no serious traffic accidents were reported due to the heavy rains.
The department has deployed workers, tankers and pumping machines to drain out accumulated rain water, remove dirt, and repair the damaged roads.
The department reiterated its warning to avoid mountains and valleys. Recently, a 53-year-old Arab truck driver drowned as his truck got washed away in a flash flood in RAK's Al Qur Valley. Three other 4WD vehicles also got washed away in the same floods, but the authorities managed to rescue the motorists and retrieve the vehicles. Days later, a senior citizen was rescued from a pond that formed after the recent rains in Ras Al Khaimah's Ghalila Valley.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah