'Pathetic' Sharjah conditions cost businesses dear

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.

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.