A deluge of rain across the UAE on Thursday wreaked havoc on motorists, residents and emergency authorities as a storm front moved across the country.

Emergency officials worked to respond to thousands of calls for assistance as rains flooded roads and high winds whipped low lying areas causing low visibility and gnarling traffic in some areas.

Police closed roads and rescued those who had become stranded due to inclement conditions, said police.

The conditions are expected to remain until Saturday, said weather officials in Abu Dhabi.

ABU DHABI

Eyewitness reports said that KSA-UAE roads were flooded with ankle-deep waters due to heavy rains seen across the capital Thursday while villas and other structures in the Western Region have also been damaged.

Police increased the number of patrol cars on internal and external roads and have warned motorists to drive slowly and be wary of any obstacles that may have fallen on the streets as a result of high winds.

Saaed vehicles are also assisting drivers who were involved in minor accidents involving no human injuries in the capital. Officials have announced that they are prepared to handle any such incidents using 64 heavy-duty machinery.

“Traffic lights on Najda and Hamdan Street were not working this morning when I was on my way to work. Other than that I have not seen anything unusual besides slow traffic and congestion,” a Syrian HR officer in the city of Abu Dhabi said.

Meanwhile, residents have reported seeing fallen trees and electric posts in several locations within the city.

Police officials have also advised families and residents to safe-keep any items they may need during emergencies such as water seeping through houses.

Instructions have also been issued regarding any individuals who may be drowning including extending a wooden board, or rope to assist victims ashore.

Members of the public have been warned against going into any wet areas, such as seas or swamps and high-altitude locations such as mountains as doing so may put lives at risk and cause drowning and even death.

The Abu Dhabi Municipality (ADM) has called upon all contractors working in the building and construction sector in the capital to take precautions and care while carrying out construction activities in adverse rainy, windy and foggy conditions.

DUBAI

As the country prepares for a major storm front that could purportedly dump the most rainfall in more than a decade, Dubai officials say they have deployed the staff and equipment to stave off flooding incidents.

By last count, the civic body had a total of 2,000 of its inspectors, engineers, technicians and drivers on stand-by yesterday as they prepared to receive emergency rain-related calls. No flooding incidents were reported, and the Rain Committee at Dubai Municipality are in contact with the UAE’s National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology.

Hassan Makki, director of Sewage and Irrigation Network, and Head of the Rain Committee at Dubai Municipality, told Gulf News yesterday that 40 water tankers and 70 mobile mechanical pumps have been put on stand-by to cope with the storm that is expected to hit the country over the weekend.

“The committee prepared for the rain at least three months ago, to ensure that the storm drainage network is clean and to fix any technical problem that may occur. A lot of preparation has been done to ensure that roads and residential neighbourhoods will not be affected,” said Makki.

There were 385 traffic accidents reported on Dubai Roads from 5am till 12 pm on Thursday, police said.

Brigadier Omar Al Shamsi, Director of Dubai Police Command and Control Centre said that the police operation room received at the same period of time a number 3253 phone calls on 999 from public inquiring on accidents and traffic situations.

Global Village continued to be closed yesterday due to the unpredictable weather conditions forecast in Dubai. According to a statement by Global Village, the decision was made based on consultations with the Civil Defence and Dubai Police and the National Center of Weather Forecast.

SHARJAH

Lieutenant Colonel Ahmad Bin Darwish, acting director of the Traffic and Patrol Department, told Gulf News that traffic was smooth in Sharjah despite the rain but more rain was expected.

Police have put a plan in place to ensure smooth traffic on roads and suggested a number of alternative routes.

Lt Col Bin Darwish urged motorists as well as residents to report flying debris, such as trees or signs to the police operations room on 999.

Colonel Sultan Abdullah Al Khayal, Director of Media and Public Relations Department of Sharjah Police said that the Police department took all necessary measures to cope with any emergency during this period of unstable weather.

Roles and tasks were divided among police forces to deal with emergency cases, Cars stopped on the roads yesterday were moved quickly by police vehicles in order not to disturb traffic movement and secure the sites. Rain water was pumped as quickly as possible by municipal tankers to drain any flooded areas.

Col Al Khayal urged motorists of heavy vehicles to avoid dangerous overtaking and sudden lane changing on highways, and in case of low visibility, they should pull off the road till they can see more clearly.

AL AIN

The oasis city received a huge amount of rain on Thursday, flooding streets, residential neighbourhoods, and valleys with more rain predicted to hit the city Friday.

Rainwater overflowed the drainge system in many localities and entered homes, markets, and business centres. A number of trees were uprooted blocking some roads. Trees were uprooted and emergency services were struggling to keep the situation under control.

The city had two spells first at 9am and the second at 4pm. Flash flood submerged Khatam Al Shiklah and Jebel Hafeet roads causing problem for the motorists. The sky remained completely covered with clouds the whole day. There were a number accidents on the road, but nobody was reportedly hurt.

“It was the ferocious thunderstorm I have seen during my 20 years stay in the emirates,” said Mohammad Ghazi, a resident of Al Ain. Ghazi was in his office when a deafening thunderbolt shook him up at 9.58am. “I jumped out of the office and surprised to see the blinding downpour,” he said.

Overcast weather also helped in lowering the temperature and it was bitterly cold condition on Jebel Hafeet.

NORTHERN EMIRATES

Police closed roads which led to valleys for safety reasons.

Three people were stranded on valley roads in Ras Al Khaimah and rescued by Ras Al Khaimah Air Wing.

UMM AL QUWAIN

Lieutenant Colonel Saeed Bin Aran, Director of the traffic department at Umm Al Quwain Police, told Gulf News that police forces were ready for any emergency. No major accidents were reported. He urged motorists to avoid flooded areas.

Brigadier Mohammad Al Noubi, Deputy General Commander of Ras Al Khaimah Police, said police forces were responding quickly to emergency calls. Three people had been rescued by Ras Al Khaimah Police’s Air Wing. He added 19 police patrols had been deployed across the emirate to ease traffic flow. An emergency team was sent from Abu Dhabi to provide assistance.

Brigadier Al Noubi called on motorists to pay attention while driving, to adhere to the instructions issued by the police during wet weather, abide by the speed limit and leave a safe distance between vehicles.

FUJAIRAH

Major Dr Saeed Al Hassani, Director of Fujairah media and public relations department of Fujairah Police, told Gulf News the police had put a plan in place to avoid any flood-related loss or damage.

Police patrols, civil defence vehicles and municipality tankers were out on the roads.

A warning was issued to residents to avoid the sea due to the weather conditions and not to use mobile phones in open places for their own safety.

Qasimi Hospital, Kuwaiti Hospital and Dhaid Hospital in Sharjah received no traffic accident cases, an official told Gulf News on Thursday.

With inputs from Aftab Kazmi, Al Ain Bureau Mariam Al Serkal, Basma Jandaly, Nada Al Taher, Binsal Abdul Kader, Aghaddir Ali