Drainage teams working to keep roads clear

Dubai/Sharjah: With weather forecasters predicting that the recent rains that have disrupted traffic will continue for the next couple of days, authorities have reassured the public that everything is under control.

Abdul Majid Sifaee, Director of the Drainage Network Department at Dubai Municipality, said that his staff were hard at work.

"Having said that, we do get complaints from people on our hotline number - 800-900 - and a follow-up is done immediately.

"I have a big team in place to tackle any kind of emergency related to waterlogged roads.

"During times of rain, our team is on 12-hour duty in two shifts. I have a good fleet. I try to use more portable pumps, rather than large tankers. This is done to avoid any sort of traffic congestion on internal roads.

"The portable pumps make it easier for my staff to reach their destinations in time. I want the residents to rest assured that our team comprises experienced people who know the streets of Dubai like the back of their hands," Sifaee said.

Abdul Aziz Al Mansouri, deputy manager of the drainage department at the Sharjah municipality, said that he has 65 tankers in operation around the emirate.

"As of now, there are no major complaints. But we are aware that if the rain continues, there will be some areas in Sharjah that will become waterlogged. Our team will clear these areas in no time," he said.

Has your residential area flooded in the recent rain showers? Do you think the drainage system is adequate in your locality? How was your experience during the rains?

The rain is increasing day by day , thank God there is no rain water gathering in my area, but although the weather is so beautiful.
Khadijah
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 30, 2009, 17:24

Roads are generally flat and have insufficient number of gulley pits and I think the discharging pipe sizes are too small to cater for any stormwater. The RTA should address this with a review of all existing roads and drainage networks.
Neil
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 30, 2009, 16:33

Many areas in International City are waterlogged and nobody is willing to help. I myself with many other residents have tried contacting the developers and muncipality but to no avail. This waterlogging will have serious implication on the health of residents of this area. I would request the concerned departments to take action immediately to help the residents.
Qader A
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 30, 2009, 09:12

it is really a pleasant feeling to experience rain in UAE,but in Ajman people are suffering from heavy flood due to poor maintenance of road.
Sughra Hussain
Ajman,UAE
Posted: March 30, 2009, 08:57