DUBAI // Drivers spent hours on the E11 at Jebel Ali on Wednesday after a rush of rainwater blocked traffic.
One witness said about 100 to 150 metres of road were under water across both carriageways, and that authorities cut open the central reservation to allow U-turns.
Dubai Police said that more than 3,000 calls were made to its command room on Wednesday morning alone because of the bad weather, although none involved fatalities.
Abu Dhabi-bound Brett Evans was stuck on Sheikh Zayed Road at Jebel Ali for almost four hours from 11.30am.
He said that authorities allowed cars to U-turn across the central reservation and that a number of cars that attempted to get through the water had broken down. He also estimated tailbacks to be between 15 and 20 kilometres.
Johnny Beyrouthy said that traffic was still at a standstill at 3pm. He became stuck on Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai-bound near Jebel Ali at about 9.30am and arrived home 13hours later.
He described the body of water as “looking like a lake. It’s very big”.
Lt Col Khazraj Al Khazraji, deputy director of Dubai’s command and control room, said his officers received 3,200 calls between 6am and 1pm. There were also 253 accidents on the emirate’s roads in that time, although there were no fatalities reported, he said.
Col Saif Al Mazrouei, director of the general department of traffic at Dubai Police, urged motorists to take extra caution while driving.
“People should drive slow and should keep a safe distance between their cars and other vehicles,” Col Al Mazrouei said.
“Road accidents, when there is heavy rain, can lead to serious consequences, especially if a person is driving recklessly.”
He said traffic police patrols were on the emirate’s roads trying to ease congestion and help anyone who may have an emergency.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae