67 accidents reported in RAK due to heavy rain

Ras Al Khaimah - Motorists are urged to be more cautious during the bad weather which is expected to remain unstable for the next few days.

Ras Al Khaimah recorded 67 accidents on Friday due to the heavy showers that lashed different parts of UAE. However, only minor injuries were reported, according to Brigadier Ghanim Ahmed Ghanim, director general of the central operations, RAK Police.
"We had to close the road to Jais Mountain for people's safety."  
More traffic patrols have been deployed on all internal roads and highways round the clock to help the stuck people, if any, ensure traffic flow, and tow any flooded or nonfunctioning vehicles due to the showers and flooded valleys, he added.  
"All motorists need to be alert, focus and careful, and reduce speed on the road during the rain."
It is so dangerous for people to go out in this unstable weather, Brig Ghanim underlined.
"It is so risky to go out or drive under the heavy showers, thunder storm, and thunders."
Seafarers, beach and valleys goers and motorists are urged to be more cautious during the bad weather which is expected to remain unstable for the next few days, he stated.
"Residents of the areas much exposed to pouring showers and strong winds, are urged to be careful, and immediately report emergency cases to Toll (999) and (998) whereas simple mishaps can be reported to phone numbers: (072356611 - 072356600)."
Meanwhile, RAK department of public works and services, have deployed a big number of employees, tankers and pumps to suck out the accumulated ponds at the low level areas and major roads.  
"Up to 70 staffers have been deployed to handle the emergency situation, apart from 45 tankers, and 18 pumps to suck out the accumulated rain water," stated Eng Ahmed Al Hammadi, director general of the department.  
"Most of the department machinery; actually eight tankers and six pumps, have been sent to the southern areas most affected by the showers," he added.
"Two shawls were sent to the southern areas to clean the roads and remove the wastes."  
The department is also keeping an eye on the small bridges known as Abbarat to ensure rain water flow under the roads here, Eng Hammadi said.
"The valleys are over flooded, and those Abbarat must always be clean to ensure water flow."  
Adnan Ukasha, a Jordanian, said heavy showers had lashed different parts of the emirate on Friday, particularly the northern and southern areas, including Sheha Valley, Al Manei, Shawkah, Al Ghalila, Jais Mountain, and Al Gheil areas.  
"The heavy rains have filled many of the valleys in the mountainous areas of the emirate."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah