UAE’s east coast battered by thunder storm

Thunder storms, high winds and heavy rains battered parts of Fujairah and the Sharjah enclave of Khor Fakkan on Sunday night causing flooding in some areas.

Heavy rain on led to flooding in many parts of Khor Fakkan leading police to issue safety warnings to motorists. Courtesy Khor Fakkan Police

FUJAIRAH / KHOR FAKKAN // Thunder storms, high winds and heavy rains battered parts of Fujairah and the Sharjah enclave of Khor Fakkan on Sunday night causing flooding.

The violent storm left streets, shops and homes in low lying neighbourhoods in towns all along the east coast under water.

Clean-up crews from Fujairah Municipality were sent to clear the water using emergency pumps, said Mohammed Al Afkham, managing director of the municipality. “An emergency team was formed and they remedied the situation quickly by using machinery and equipment to suck out the water.”

In Khor Fakkan, heavy rain flooded inner roads and some residential areas, police said, with a two-hour downpour bringing traffic to a halt.

Col Mohammed Al Obad, director of Sharjah police in the eastern region, warned motorists to “make sure and make sure they avoid areas that are flooded to minimise accidents.”

The weather bureau has forecast a chance of rainfall over coastal areas on Tuesday and Wednesday, particularly in the north and west of the country.

Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Minister of Public Works, has instructed teams to prepare for the forthcoming rainy season. He called on ministry staff to visit the northern and eastern parts of the country to plan for potential problems caused by heavy rainfall.