How UAE weathered heavy rains with constant public alerts, drainage through the night
Resilience is built on preparedness and it was the proactive approach by the entire UAE government that mitigated the risks of the two-day adverse weather conditions that affected the country on Thursday and Friday.Days before the rains, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued regular updates on weather fluctuations. Municipalities and civil defence authorities ensured their full field readiness by deploying specialised 4x4 vehicles and rescue trucks with advanced tools such as hydraulic lifting equipment, cutters, saws, and other modern rescue technologies. Patrol and rescue teams were on full alert, particularly in low-lying and more vulnerable areas, to strengthen emergency response and guarantee public safety.Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.Emergency SMS alerts were sent to everyone – residents and tourists – urging them to take precautions and to follow safety instructions issued by the authorities. The alerts were reminiscent of the pandemic days – it was obtrusive, yes, but absolutely necessary.Closer and more relevant to all the alerts and preparations was the April 2024 rains, when the UAE was hit by the most intense rainstorm ever recorded in the country's history. Over 250mm of rain fell in just 24 hours — more than what some regions receive in a year. It was the heaviest rainfall the UAE had seen in 75 years, and the flooding caused massive infrastructure damage and loss of property.Since then, UAE authorities have massively ramped up the way they have been handling weather-related challenges. Residents too have become more vigilant and cautious. People interviewed recently by Khaleej Times said they are now more keen in taking forecasts seriously. “The April 2024 rains have taught us a lesson – be always prepared. It is better to be safe than sorry.” Credit all the disaster preparations for the fact that there was not a major road accident recorded at the height of the inclement weather that resulted in death or major injuries. A young Indian expat reportedly passed away in Ras Al Khaimah on Thursday but authorities have yet to confirm if the rains contributed to the unfortunate circumstance.Another notable result was that there were fewer distress calls this year, as motorists heeded lessons from the April 2024 floods. Recovery truck operators confirmed this to Khaleej Times, noting while they remained on standby, the volume of emergency calls significantly dropped as compared to the flooding last year.Disaster preparations significantly mitigated the risks but it was the untiring efforts by authorities that ensured the immediate return to normalcy. Emergency response teams worked tirelessly clearing drainage systems, managing traffic, and ensuring public safety. At the height of the heavy rains on Friday, while residents slept to the sound of rain, emergency units were on the streets, working through the night to drain flooded roads and streets. In Dubai, in particular, Brigadier Turki Abdulrahman bin Fares, director of the General Department of Operations at Dubai Police, told Khaleej Times that as conditions worsened locally, duty hours of police officers were extended and resources were scaled up accordingly, with approximately 70 per cent of patrol and rescue resources deployed across Dubai, including Hatta, to ensure public safety throughout the night.Police officers diligently denied access to restricted areas and high-risk locations such as flowing valleys, elevated terrain, and coastal areas. There was closed coordination at ground level and field updates were shared in real time.The weather disturbance did not escalate in disrupting the lives of most residents. Early monitoring of weather developments was crucial but it was clear communication with the public that ensured everyone’s safety. Media too, including Khaleej Times, kept the public informed by bringing the latest updates and announcements.Resilience is built on trust and collective effort. Effective teamwork was the decisive factor for the police officers, specialised units, partner entities, and other civil defence units in delivering rapid response and effective risk management.Nature can sometimes be furious and unforgiving but it was clear public messaging that helped everyone remain calm and weather the storm. There was shared awareness and people became more prepared.There will be more weather disruptions to come – that’s nature – but the UAE and its people in the past few days have shown resilience and how it should be done.'Taught us a lesson': UAE residents take weather alerts more seriously after 2024 floodsHeavy rains in Dubai: Police deploy 22 rescue teams; 120 cranes on standby for emergenciesRains batter UAE: Residents work from home, adjust commute as weather intensifies
Resilience is built on preparedness and it was the proactive approach by the entire UAE government that mitigated the risks of the two-day adverse weather conditions that affected the country on Thursday and Friday.
Days before the rains, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued regular updates on weather fluctuations. Municipalities and civil defence authorities ensured their full field readiness by deploying specialised 4x4 vehicles and rescue trucks with advanced tools such as hydraulic lifting equipment, cutters, saws, and other modern rescue technologies.
Patrol and rescue teams were on full alert, particularly in low-lying and more vulnerable areas, to strengthen emergency response and guarantee public safety.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Emergency SMS alerts were sent to everyone – residents and tourists – urging them to take precautions and to follow safety instructions issued by the authorities. The alerts were reminiscent of the pandemic days – it was obtrusive, yes, but absolutely necessary.
Closer and more relevant to all the alerts and preparations was the April 2024 rains, when the UAE was hit by the most intense rainstorm ever recorded in the country's history. Over 250mm of rain fell in just 24 hours — more than what some regions receive in a year.
It was the heaviest rainfall the UAE had seen in 75 years, and the flooding caused massive infrastructure damage and loss of property.
Since then, UAE authorities have massively ramped up the way they have been handling weather-related challenges. Residents too have become more vigilant and cautious. People interviewed recently by Khaleej Times said they are now more keen in taking forecasts seriously. “The April 2024 rains have taught us a lesson – be always prepared. It is better to be safe than sorry.”
Credit all the disaster preparations for the fact that there was not a major road accident recorded at the height of the inclement weather that resulted in death or major injuries. A young Indian expat reportedly passed away in Ras Al Khaimah on Thursday but authorities have yet to confirm if the rains contributed to the unfortunate circumstance.
Another notable result was that there were fewer distress calls this year, as motorists heeded lessons from the April 2024 floods. Recovery truck operators confirmed this to Khaleej Times, noting while they remained on standby, the volume of emergency calls significantly dropped as compared to the flooding last year.
Disaster preparations significantly mitigated the risks but it was the untiring efforts by authorities that ensured the immediate return to normalcy. Emergency response teams worked tirelessly clearing drainage systems, managing traffic, and ensuring public safety.
At the height of the heavy rains on Friday, while residents slept to the sound of rain, emergency units were on the streets, working through the night to drain flooded roads and streets. In Dubai, in particular, Brigadier Turki Abdulrahman bin Fares, director of the General Department of Operations at Dubai Police, told Khaleej Times that as conditions worsened locally, duty hours of police officers were extended and resources were scaled up accordingly, with approximately 70 per cent of patrol and rescue resources deployed across Dubai, including Hatta, to ensure public safety throughout the night.
Police officers diligently denied access to restricted areas and high-risk locations such as flowing valleys, elevated terrain, and coastal areas. There was closed coordination at ground level and field updates were shared in real time.
The weather disturbance did not escalate in disrupting the lives of most residents. Early monitoring of weather developments was crucial but it was clear communication with the public that ensured everyone’s safety. Media too, including Khaleej Times, kept the public informed by bringing the latest updates and announcements.
Resilience is built on trust and collective effort. Effective teamwork was the decisive factor for the police officers, specialised units, partner entities, and other civil defence units in delivering rapid response and effective risk management.
Nature can sometimes be furious and unforgiving but it was clear public messaging that helped everyone remain calm and weather the storm. There was shared awareness and people became more prepared.
There will be more weather disruptions to come – that’s nature – but the UAE and its people in the past few days have shown resilience and how it should be done.
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