The UAE has announced a fund of Dh2 billion to help citizens repair homes damaged in last week’s record-breaking rains and subsequent floods.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, called last week’s rains unprecedented.
Khaleej Times reported, the country’s control rooms dealt with over 200,000 distress calls from residents “highlighting the scale of the damage caused to residential properties”.
On Tuesday, April 16, the country received a year’s worth of rains in a single day. The UAE recorded 6.04 billion cubic metres of rainwater in 24 hours as opposed to the 6.7 billion cubic metres it receives annually. It left multiple communities and homes flooded, caused flight cancellations, disrupted public transport services and left motorists stranded on waterlogged roads.
“The severity of the weather situation was unprecedented. But we are a country that learns from every experience and develops itself,” said Sheikh Mohammed as he chaired a Cabinet meeting in Abu Dhabi Wednesday.
Over than 17,000 security and emergency services personnel responded as the UAE dealt with the aftermath of the rains, along with thousands of volunteers.
“Our dams are full, our valleys flowed and our groundwater reserves swelled. We learned lessons in dealing with severe rains and boosted our readiness so that we are more prepared for the future,” the Vice-President added.
At least four people were killed in the floods.
An Emirati died after his car was swept away in a valley. Two Filipinos suffocated to death while inside their vehicle during the flood, while another passed away in an accident.
