Dubai: DubaiSat-2, owned and operated by the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), has released high definition photos of the Dubai Water Canal full of water.

The photos show the new waterway flowing from Dubai Creek down towards the Arabian Gulf. The image also show the various facilities built to run along both banks of the canal and the areas surrounding it, which consist of residences, malls, hotels and recreational centres.

Water was released into Dubai Canal for the first time last week, which according to officials at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), is part of a testing process.

Pedestrian bridges are also being simultaneously built at different locations, including a suspension bridge with a huge arch built about the canal.

“Dubai Canal is on track and our monitoring system in place ensures the project is ready according to the set plan,” said Laila Taher Faraidoon, Executive Director of RTA Director General and Chairman of the Board, Mattar Al Tayer’s Office.

The 3.2-kilometre Dubai Canal, linked with the Business Bay Canal and Dubai flowing into Arabian Gulf, has now turned a major portion of old Dubai into an island, including areas like Bur Dubai, Zabeel, Al Karama, Oud Metha and Al Satwa.

DubaiSat-2 was able to provide high quality satellite images to several institutions within the UAE and internationally, for urban planning and mapping, monitoring environmental changes and disaster management.