Team Blitz India
The United Arab Emirates is trying to wring itself out of the chaos that resulted following the heaviest recorded rainfall in the desert nation on April 16.
The Dubai International Airport, world’s busiest airport, allowed global carriers to fly into Terminal 1 two days later, while long-haul carrier Emirates began allowing local passengers to arrive at Terminal 3.
In a message to the nation on April 17, Emirati leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said, “Authorities would quickly work on studying the condition of infrastructure throughout the UAE and to limit the damage caused.”
Pumping out water
Meanwhile, Civil Defence officials struggled to pump out water, which had risen to as high as 1 meter on some roads. The Metro rail services have been partially restored, according to ministry officials. As rescue and clean-up efforts continued across the city, some residents whose homes have been affected, had to move into hotels.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
According to reports, people are having to pay higher-than-usual price for accommodation as many establishments hiked prices for hotel rooms after the record rainfall, which left many homes flooded and major roads closed. There have been increasing accounts on social media and online forums of tourists and residents across the city having to pay inflated prices for taxis, with some trips costing over Dh700 within the city.
However, the community has banded together with homegrown business owners, and local initiatives across Dubai, going out of their way to help fellow residents.
Jeep Nation, a non-profit community of around 1,000 Jeep owners and outdoor enthusiasts, who usually spend their weekends in the UAE’s deserts or mountains, have made it their mission to drive around the city helping pull cars out of flooded areas, and get stranded people to safety.
