DUBAI/SHARJAH, 16 January 2008 — Over 500 accidents have been reported in Dubai as heavy rain lashed the United Arab Emirates causing flooding and traffic jams across Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al-Khaimah and Ajman.
Dubai Police’s Control and Command Room confirmed more than 500 accidents across the city and the deaths of two people in separate accidents due to incessant rain.
Badr Al-Sairi, an official from the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), urged motorists to exercise extreme caution while driving. He said that the UAE, according to meteorologists, would be facing an unstable climate.
Streets and roundabouts across Dubai have been flooded, and motorists were stuck in traffic for two to five hours. Police also diverted traffic away from the Emirates Road in both directions, as it was flooded. Corniche Road, Mina Road, Al-Nahda, the Al-Tawun Mall area, King Faisal Street, and almost all major roads in Sharjah were clogged.
In Ajman, Al-Nuaimai Road, Old Immigration Road, Al-Bustan, Al-Karama and the Industrial Area were flooded. Office goers and school children struggled to reach their destinations and several schools in Dubai and Sharjah canceled lessons, as school buses could not reach schools on time.
M. Ali, a resident in Dubai, said that it took two hours to travel 1.5 km in the Al-Qouz industrial area of Dubai.
Rajendran from Sharjah said that it took him five hours to reach his office in Jabel Ali. “I started from Sharjah around 5.45 a.m. and I reached my office in Jabel Ali at 10.55 a.m. It was a terrible experience,” he added.
Weather pundits predict more rains with thunderstorms expected today. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea and residents have been warned against venturing into the valleys due to flash floods.
The RTA in Dubai is closely monitoring the condition of roads and traffic at various roads in Dubai round the clock.
Maitha Adai, CEO of RTA Traffic & Roads Agency, said that the intensive efforts and actions of the RTA Emergency Team have eased the gravity of potential accidents and damage that could have resulted from the continuous rainfall, which reached 36.4mm yesterday afternoon.
She added that in order to facilitate the work of the team, Dubai has been divided into three zones: Deira, Bur Dubai, and main roads. All necessary precautions are in place to minimize the extent of damage, including safety measures, communicating with all roads and services contractors to exercise caution and take necessary action particularly in view of the Met Office advice that rainfall may continue.
