Rains flood homes, trigger landslides in RAK

Ras Al Khaimah - The RAK Police have assured residents that they are ready to extend all help that is needed.

As rains lashed different parts of the country - particularly the Northern Emirates - for the second day on Sunday, RAK residents told Khaleej Times that the downpour led to flooding right in their homes.
"Many houses, including mine, at Fahleen area in RAK have been flooded," said resident Khalid Al Mazrouie.
Abdullah Al Saleh, who lives in the Shaam area, said their parking garage was filled with water but, on top of that, he saw "some trucks that have been swept away, while others were stuck on the road following a landslide".
Abdulhafeez Radhi, another resident, said "ponds of water" are everywhere.
"The most affected areas are Al Fahleen, Shaam, Shamal, and Al Heel in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, where so many houses have been flooded with rainwater," Radhi said.
The RAK Police have assured residents that they are ready to extend all help that is needed.
Over the past days, "all possible forms of support" have been provided to people trapped in the floods that have wreaked havoc in RAK, said Major-General Ali Abdullah bin Alwan Al Nuaimi, Commander-in-Chief of the Ras Al Khaimah Police.
"Logistics support and food, along with all needed medical requirements, have been provided to people in flooded areas and they have been advised not to leave their places until rescue teams arrive," added Al Nuaimi, who is also the head of the local emergency and crisis management team in RAK.
"The local emergency and crisis management team in Ras Al Khaimah has also provided the necessary assistance."
The National Centre of Meteorology confirmed that moderate rains were experienced in different parts of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain on Sunday.
"Heavy showers have been reported in Ras Al Khaimah, mainly Al Rams, Fahleen, Shamal, Al Heel areas," it said. Winds reached 50kmph, "blowig dust and sand and causing poor visibility at less than 2,000 metres at times".
A rough sea was also observed in the Arabian Gulf, with waves reaching "a height of 4-6/7 feet offshore", the NCM's weatherman said.
Several schools in RAK, particularly those close to the high mountains and deep valleys, had been closed and parents were asked to keep their children home. The Ministry of Education issued a statement on Saturday night, asking parents to check with school managements whether classes would be suspended.
"It is a normal school day," a spokesman with the ministry said. "As is the case during showers, it differs from one school to another."
He said the suspension is applicable only to the schools affected by the rain.
"These are mostly close to the mountains and valleys where the roads are blocked or flooded."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah