E-Paper
Sign In
Sun, Jan 18, 2026 | Rajab 29, 1447 | Fajr 05:45 | DXB 
22.1°C
iPhone | iPad
Android
Don’t cross flooded wadis, UAE villagers warn as they remain on alert for heavy rains
While most houses are built away from main wadi channels, the threat to agricultural land and livestock remains
Residents of wadi villages in the UAE know all too well the danger that comes with rainfall. Within minutes, peaceful valleys can transform into raging torrents, sweeping away vehicles and trees. But for those who call these areas home, a system of vigilance, community, and respect for nature helps them navigate the risks.
As unstable weather brings renewed rainfall to the Emirates this week, residents of these vulnerable areas are once again on high alert. For them, the rain is a double-edged sword; a source of water for their farms, but also a potential threat to life and property.
Recommended For You
Omar Ahmed Al Shehhi, from the Wadi Ghalila area in Ras Al Khaimah, says that while the community welcomes the rain, preparations begin immediately.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
“We immediately begin cleaning the ancient irrigation channels that lead wadi water into our farms,” he explained. This traditional system allows one farm to fill up and then overflow into the next, ensuring the precious resource is shared.
Community spirit is a crucial line of defence. “The people of the area communicate with visitors, warning them if they are sitting in dangerous spots or planning to cross a wadi,” Al Shehhi said. This local knowledge is vital, as outsiders often underestimate the sudden and immense power of a flash flood.
When the wadis are flowing, a temporary lockdown takes effect. “We avoid going to other areas until the situation calms down,” Al Shehhi noted. “If someone is outside the area and wants to return home, they wait for the water to subside before attempting the journey.”
Despite their experience, the unpredictable nature of the weather can still lead to losses. “Some residents have lost their sheep and animals if they didn’t act in time. Sometimes we don’t expect such heavy rain, and they must rush to move their livestock to safer ground,” he said.
Sadly, not everyone heeds the warnings. “There are people from the same area, unfortunately, who know the danger but still take risks.”
This sentiment is echoed by Musabbeh Saif from Shawka, an area with numerous wadis that intersect with roads and residential zones.
“We, the people of the area, know the situation, but the problem is with those coming from other places who do not realise the strength of the wadi,” he said. “They enter it with their cars, believing they are able to cross.”
While modern housing has moved further from the main wadi paths, the threat to agriculture remains. “The wadis can affect the few farms we own on their path. If the water level is high and the flow is strong, it can demolish farm walls and destroy crops,” he explained. “Generally, the wadis near the houses are smaller and have less impact.”
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast unstable weather to continue across the UAE this week, with chances of rainfall in various parts of the country with temperatures dipping to 10ºC in some internal and mountain regions.
Authorities have repeatedly urged the public to exercise caution, avoid wadis and mountainous areas during rainfall, and not to risk crossing flooded valleys.
Ruqayya Al Qaydi
Ruqayya Alqaydi is a Special Correspondent with an endless curiosity to learn. Like a journalist on a caffeine overdrive, she is fuelled by passion and on a mission to uncover every gem in the UAE.
Don’t just scroll. Know it all. Sign up for your daily UAE news fix.
Get the top stories of the day right in your inbox.
