Dubai authorities are implementing a series of proactive solutions to address flood risks in vulnerable areas following unprecedented rainfall in April.
Fourteen flood-prone locations across the city have been identified, with Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road among the hotspots. These areas will receive enhanced flood management measures, including the installation of pumps to direct water into designated drainage channels.
Experts predict a rise in rainfall intensity over the next decade. Dr. Mohammed Al-Abri, Director of the Meteorology Department at the National Center of Meteorology, warns that rainfall could increase by as much as 30% in the coming years. To mitigate this, authorities have prioritized infrastructure upgrades, with 90% of the identified flood-prone areas undergoing improvements to manage heavy rainfall more effectively.
Mohammed Al Dhanhani, Director of Corporate Risk Management at Dubai Municipality, emphasized that both short- and long-term projects are underway to bolster rainwater management in critical zones. The collaboration between the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Municipality is key to these efforts, with the installation of drainage pumps already underway.
A significant initiative announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, is the Dh30 billion 'Tasreef' rain drainage network project, set for completion by 2033.
In a recent seminar on crisis and natural disaster management, Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan bin Tamim of Dubai Police proposed forming a task force comprising multiple authorities to develop swift solutions for heavy rain and floods. He also recommended establishing a unified contact number for crisis management and emphasized the importance of community education on disaster preparedness.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
