DUBAI: Video shared by the UAE’s Ministry of Interior on social media shows dramatic footage as government rescuers helped members of an expatriate family into safety from the flooded Al-Shees in Khor Fakkan area of Sharjah.
The video showed civil defense team members preparing safety lines during the challenging night-time operation braving floodwaters to save the rain-soaked residents.
Heavy rains have inundated the country – with the emirates of Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah the most affected. Videos circulating online showed vehicles almost entirely submerged in flooded norther emirates roads, particularly in Sharjah, Ras Al-Khaimah and Fujairah.
Another video from the interior ministry showed strong currents of floodwater crossing Suhaila Al-Sharjah road to Al-Dhaid, also in Sharjah, which forced its closure by authorities until further notice.
The National Centre of Meteorology earlier issued a safety alert warning a continuity of rainfall and flooding in the valleys over some easter and mountain area of the country.
#تنبيه #المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد
#Alert_#NCM pic.twitter.com/n6hmCXXgco— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@NCMS_media) July 27, 2022
“Please take the utmost care and cautions and avoid valleys, landslides and flooded areas,” the weather agency warned.
Non-essential employees from both the private and public sectors who were affected by the torrential rains were urged to work remotely until Friday, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation meanwhile advised.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Dubai ruler, also called on the Ministry of Community Development to accommodate those who have been displaced from their homes and move them to temporary shelter sites.
He particularly directed that hotels nearby flooded areas be booked to accommodate all affected families, as well as those living in areas at risk of flooding.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) reiterated that the safety of people and property was ‘top priority,’ and was working with the police teams and civil defense agencies to respond to all emergencies.
Photos were also posted on social media as the Joint Operations Command of the UAE’s defense ministry implemented the ‘Loyal Hands’ operation to support the civil authorities in Fujairah.
The operation rescued residents stranded in flooded areas as well as those trapped inside their homes.
تعلن قيادة العمليات المشتركة عن تنفيذها عملية "الأيدي الوفية" في دعمها للسلطات المدنية في إمارة الفجيرة التي تعرضت ليلة البارحة الأربعاء لمنخفض جوي، وتركزت العملية علي إنقاذ العالقين في المناطق المغمورة بالمياه وإنقاذ المحاصرين داخل بيوتهم حيث تم اخلاءهم لمناطق الايواء دون خسائر pic.twitter.com/U7Q36s1SDQ
— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) July 28, 2022
The MoI and Police Directorates have issued warnings and awareness instructions to minimize the damage due to present weather conditions, especially the expected intensification of rain and winds.
