Sheikh Hamdan approves free temporary housing, food and aid for flood-affected residents

Crown Prince of Dubai directs developers and management companies to help rain-damaged communities

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, chaired a meeting with government officials in Dubai after the recent bad weather. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Dubai residents left without a habitable home or food are to be helped free of charge, according to a government directive.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, has instructed developers and management companies to provide alternative housing, distribute food, and provide cleaning services to rain-damaged communities.

In a statement on his website, Sheikh Hamdan directed all residential management companies and real estate developers to offer a series of services at no additional charge to all Dubai residents affected by the severe weather.

Yoon Shik Ahn, a resident from the Green Community, trying to get rid of water in his house. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National

This includes alternative housing for residents affected by the weather, the distribution of food within affected communities, comprehensive pest control services, security for the safety of residents, assistance to return to residential properties, including interior cleaning, monitoring and documenting damage caused by the rain during the insurance coverage period, and support in assessing potential risk to properties.

Sheikh Hamdan asked the Dubai Land Department and the Real Estate Regulatory Agency to co-ordinate with property developers to work towards restoring normality in all communities.

A number of committees were approved in the meeting, also attended by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Deputy Prime Minister and UAE Minister of Finance, one of which would be set up to urgently review requests from Emiratis affected by the heavy rain.

The Crown Prince emphasised that “Dubai is determined to support all those affected by the adverse weather”.

He said he would personally monitor the progress of the response measures.

Support to those in need

Workers cut down a tree that was uprooted by the storm in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A vehicle submerged on a waterlogged road in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A fence is blown over during the storm in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Vehicles splash through the Dubai – Abu Dhabi motorway during the heavy rain in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

A vehicle drives through a flooded road on a wet day in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Two men navigate Dubai's flooded roads on a raft made from gas cylinders. Antonie Robertson / The National

Trying to keep flooding out of a business in Al Quoz, Dubai. According to some measurements, 158mm of rain fell in 24 hours. Antonie Robertson / The National

One pedestrian is still smiling despite the flooding, in Al Quoz, Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Waves form in Dubai floodwaters. Nic Ridley/ The National

Dark clouds over Aldar headquarters in Al Raha, Abu Dhabi. Evelyn Lau / The National

Wrapped up for the elements in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

More storms are forecast for Dubai, with dark skies overhead. Nic Ridley/ The National

A young boy goes for a walk on a rainy day in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Heavy rain fell for several hours in Dubai on Tuesday morning, in what forecasters said was the first wave of stormy weather. Antonie Robertson / The National

Lightning strikes in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Roy Cooper/ The National

There were large puddles in Dubai after heavy rain overnight. Antonie Robertson/The National

A cyclist travels amid clean-up efforts in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

A motorist's car is stranded on a flooded Dubai road, following torrential rain. Antonie Robertson / The National

Clean-up efforts are under way in Dubai after heavy rain. Antonie Robertson/The National

Dark clouds linger over Dubai with more adverse weather forecast. Antonie Robertson/The National

Dark skies over Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. Zoya Thomas/ The National

Forecasters warned of 'hazardous weather events' until Wednesday evening. Antonie Robertson/The National

Workers clear standing water in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

Drivers faced a difficult commute after heavy rain in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

Clean-up efforts began in Dubai after heavy rain. Antonie Robertson/The National

Another committee to support affected people has been created and will be chaired by Omar Bushahab, chief executive of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment.

Members would include Dubai’s Community Development Authority, Dubai Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and the Department of Economy and Tourism.

The committee has been tasked with promptly addressing requests from citizens affected by the rains.

The Crown Prince also stressed the importance of offering immediate accommodation to all affected citizens until their homes are repaired.

“The well-being of citizens remains the top priority of the Dubai government,” Sheikh Hamdan said.

Citizens affected by the flooding can contact 058 300 9000 via Whatsapp to request help.

As per instructions posted by the Dubai Media Office on X, they must send their name, ID number, contact number, which residential area they live in, a link on Google to their home location, the number of family members in the house and whether there are any elderly or people of determination. Description of the damage must also be included, as well as whether any other company has already been contacted.

Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department has been asked to provide humanitarian aid to people in need.

The Community Development Authority has been told to activate the ‘Jood’ platform, created for people to easily donate to important causes, so contributions from the private sector can be used to provide humanitarian assistance to people impacted by the heavy rains.

The severe rains that lashed the UAE at the start of the week triggered landslides, inundated roads and motorways and flooded homes.

Many residents were forced to leave their apartments and villas, and abandon vehicles in the aftermath of the country’s worst storms on record.

Residents since have appealed for food, medicines and drinking water after electricity and water supplies shut down in some apartment blocks and villa communities.