The United Arab Emirates and Qatar were hit by unusually heavy rains and flooding on Wednesday, which continued into Thursday.
Fujairah, Ras Al-Khaimah and parts of Sharjah are the worst affected regions in UAE.
At least 870 people were rescued by emergency teams after flash floods in the UAE’s Northern Emirates, the officials said.
The UAE’s disaster management authority is coordinating with more than 20 hotels to provide 827 units that can house more than 1,885 people who were displaced by flooding.
In total, 3,897 people were placed in temporary shelter in Sharjah and Fujairah and will remain there until their homes are deemed safe for them to return.
The UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) said it is coordinating with relevant authorities to provide relief and is closely monitoring the weather situation and ensuring the readiness of all plans and strategies to prevent potential risks and ensure the community’s safety.
Dr. Taher Al Ameri, Spokesperson for NCEMA, assured the public that all national teams are exerting all possible efforts to protect citizens and residents, especially in affected areas.
Dr. Mohammed Al Abri, spokesperson for UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), said the organization is constantly monitoring the situation by analyzing weather maps and data and following satellites and radars around the country.
He said that the UAE “witnessed an extension of an upper and surface air depression from northern India through southern Pakistan, coinciding with the movement of the orbital convergence line towards the north of the Arabian Gulf, which affected the flow of clouds from the Sea of Oman towards the UAE, interspersed with cumulus rain clouds accompanied by lightning and thunder sometimes”.
UAE’s Fujairah records highest rainfall in 27 years
Fujairah, the northern region of UAE, was most affected by thunderstorms and heavy rain.
Fujairah recorded its highest amount of rainfall in nearly 30 years, the country’s center of meteorology has said. The highest amount of rain in the region was recorded at the Fujairah Port Station, 234.9 mm about during 48 hours. The downpour flooded homes and damaged cars.
Rain hits UAE
UAE Vice President and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid called on the Ministry of Community Development to accommodate those who have been displaced from their homes due to rains and move them to temporary shelter sites.
Heavy rains have inundated the country – with Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah among the most affected regions. Videos circulating online showed vehicles almost entirely submerged in flooded northern emirates roads, particularly in Sharjah, Ras Al-Khaimah and Fujairah.
UAE Ministry of Interior reiterated that the safety of people and property was top priority, and was working with the police teams and civil defense agencies to respond to all emergencies.
Qatar rains
The rain and thunder started early on Thursday morning, causing floods in some parts of Qatar.
Scattered rains inundated streets and near-submerged cars in the streets of Doha, bringing parts of the capital of Qatar to a standstill only four months before the 2022 World Cup.
The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) says that thunder and rainfall will continue in most areas of the country until the end of this week.
Oman rains and floods
Heavy rains and flooding continued on Thursday in the Sultanate of Oman and neighboring GCC states. Oman’s Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority carried out helicopter evacuations of 134 people including 105 citizens and 32 nationals from GCC trapped by rains in Wilayat Maha and Lima in Musandam Governorate.
Oman’s Basic Services Sector said that continued efforts are being exercised across all governorates to open roads and remove debris obstructing traffic. The response teams are working to ensure electrical services, communications, water supply, sewerage, fuel supply and waste recycling, among other services, after the heavy rainfall.
Southern Iran also experienced flash floods. At least 22 people were killed and one person was reported missing in Iran’s southern province of Fars.