UAE | Environment
'Pathetic' Sharjah conditions cost businesses dear
With the drainage system in Sharjah failing miserably, residents in the emirate said that they have been living partially on floating water.
- By Sunita Menon and Wafa Issa, Staff Reporters
- Published: 01:06 January 17, 2008
- Image Credit: Devadasan/Gulf News
- Traffic crawls on Al Wahda Road in Sharjah.
Dubai: With the drainage system in Sharjah failing miserably, residents in the emirate said that they have been living partially on floating water.
"Rains are fun and pleasant but only if it does not get into your living room and car. My car, which is parked under the building where I stay, is submerged in water," said Shihab, an Egyptian secretary who lives in Al Khan.
"The rainfalls for two consecutive days have made it worse. It has become impossible to venture out of the house. I have been trying to hire a taxi but none is willing to drive around and those taxis that are willing quote exorbitant fares," she added.
Iyad Khalil, a manager for a mobile phone shop, said the floods have hampered his business.
"Early intervention to pump out the water would have eased the effect of the rain on those roads. It has landed us in such a mess," he said.
He said that shops in his area did not get a single customer on Tuesday. "Therefore the majority of the 200 shops decided to remain closed," said Khalil.
Related Links
A dozen motorists in the Al Nahda area alone had their cars break down when they were about to start for work yesterday morning. Five drivers decided to stay home.
"I have been living in Sharjah for the past 13 years and every year the civic body has been making false promises of a better and more efficient drainage system network. The roads are in a pathetic condition," said Obaid Arif Khan, an Al Nahda resident.
Emad Elfara, a shop supervisor, said: "Not only does Sharjah not have an effective drainage system but more importantly there were not enough sewage tankers to handle the situation, leaving this area in a complete mess. Tens of cars are submerged or broken down, putting a halt to traffic. This situation simply cannot continue."
"We have given up on the hope that the water will be pumped out of the streets," said Emad Al Omdah, owner of one of the shops on Al Wuheida street. His shop was flooded.
More from UAE Environment
More from UAE
Latest news
- Dubai Police to public: Help identify dead man
- Chance of fault on Metro: One per 4 million kms
- Al Ain Zoo launches evening visiting hours
- Emirati students not ready for university
- Recycled gravel to be used for paving roads
- UAE Interact available on smartphones
- Green ambassadors blaze the nature trail
- UAE, UK explore joint cooperation in education
- Dubai Police help foil cocaine smuggling bid
- Carpenter charged with killing friend
- Job scam victim clears name
- Dubai crime, accident rates drop
- Parents should be more vigilant
- ICT forum: What will the future look like?
- Huge rush at ID centres as deadline looms
Community Reports
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
-
Supporting the needy with food supplies
Group of families engaged in serving isolated labour community hopes to motivate more people to help underprivileged and hungry
