More than 800 rescued and 3,800 in temporary shelter after UAE flash floods

Officials praise emergency service response and community spirit as no casualties reported

Towers in Fujairah city surrounded by floodwaters. Photo: Mahesh Jangam / @MaheshMj80202 / Twitter

Vehicles partially submerged on the streets of the city. Photo: Mahesh Jangam / @MaheshMj80202 / Twitter

A flooded area in Fujairah city. Photo: Fujairah Media Office

A dam in the emirate of Fujairah overflows. Photo: Fujairah Media Office

Emergency teams relocate people in Fujairah, after their homes were flooded. Photo: UAE Ministry of Defence

Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, inspects the areas affected by heavy rains. Photo: Fujairah Media Office

During the inspection tour, Sheikh Mohammed stressed that efforts will continue and all resources will be allocated to deal with the situation. Photo: Fujairah Media Office

The Joint Operations Command of the Ministry of Defence announced the continuation of Operation Loyal Hands in Fujairah, after heavy rain and flash flooding. Photo: UAE Ministry of Defence

Civilians were evacuated and given medical aid where required. Photo: MOD UAE

Search and rescue teams and equipment were sent to Fujairah. Photo: MOD UAE

Civil authorities were working to diminish the effects of the torrential rain. Photo: MOD UAE

Flooding in Fujairah city, as more rain is expected. Antonie Robertson / The National

Flooding in Fujairah city: Damage in the Alfaseel neighbourhood. Antonie Robertson / The National

Flooding in Fujairah city: Damage in the Alfaseel neighbourhood. Antonie Robertson / The National

Damage and flooding near the carpet souk area. Antonie Robertson / The National

Flooding in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson / The National

An SUV negotiates a flooded Fujairah city road after heavy rain hit parts of the Northern Emirates. Antonie Robertson / The National

Roads and residential areas in Fujairah were flooded, displacing many from their homes. Antonie Robertson / The National

Sitting on the fence, residents are all smiles despite pools of standing water forming on roads in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson / The National

Civil defence workers help to recover cars in water-logged Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson / The National

The weather bureau has forecast more rain in the next few days. Antonie Robertson / The National

Vehicles submerged in water-logged roads in Fujairah. Antonie Robertson / The National

Car swept away in flash floods lies beside a road in Fujairah. Antonie Robertson / The National

Waterlogged low lying areas and subways in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson / The National

Flooding in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson/The National

Flooding in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson/The National

Flooding in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson/The National

An overturned car in Fujairah city beside a flooded road. Antonie Robertson / The National

More rain is forecast for the UAE's east coast. Antonie Robertson/The National

Downpours have led to flooding across Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah. Antonie Robertson/The National

Flooding in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson/The National

Ministry of Defence images show servicemen helping residents in floodwaters in the Northern Emirates. Photo: UAE Ministry of Defence

Flooding in Fujairah city with more rains expected. Antonie Robertson/The National

Rescue personnel help residents affected by the flooding in the Northern Emirates. Photo: UAE Ministry Of Defence

Servicemen move residents to dry ground. Photo: UAE Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence images show servicemen helping residents in floodwaters in the Northern Emirates. Photo: UAE MOD

Cars navigate flooded roads in Fujairah. Issa Alkindy/The National

A car swept away in the floods on the outskirts of Fujairah. Issa Alkindy/The National

Cars that were washed away by flooding on the outskirts of Fujairah. Issa Alkindy/The National

The aftermath of flooding in Fujairah. Issa Alkindy/The National

Water on the roads in Fujairah. Issa Alkindy/The National

A man takes a photo of the floods in Fujairah. Issa Alkindy/The National

Families stop at the side of a mountain in Khor Fakkan to play in the water. Ruel Pableo for The National

Families stop to play in the water. Ruel Pableo for The National

Children play in the water flowing down the side of the road. Ruel Pableo for The National

There was some rockfall in areas along the road. Ruel Pableo for The National

Families stop at the side of the mountain to play in the water. Ruel Pableo for The National

A man clears rocks from the road. Ruel Pableo for The National

Families stop to play in the water. Ruel Pableo for The National

Cars navigate a flooded road in Khor Fakkan, amid heavy rains in the city. Ruel Pableo for The National

Waterlogged roads in the city after torrential rain fell overnight. Ruel Pableo for The National

Khor Fakkan has experienced two days of intense rainfall. Ruel Pableo for The National

Authorities are urging people to take care in hazardous conditions. Ruel Pableo for The National

More wet weather is expected this week, particularly in the Northern Emirates. Ruel Pableo for The National

A cyclist struggles to make progress on a flooded road. Ruel Pableo for The National

Rain was expected in the UAE on July 27. Ruel Pableo for The National

Bouts of heavy rain made for slippery road conditions for motorists in Sharjah. Ruel Pableo for The National

Khor Fakkan has borne the brunt of much of the stormy weather. Ruel Pableo for The National

A waterlogged road in the mountains. Ruel Pableo for The National

People seek shelter during a downpour. Ruel Pableo for The National

The mountainous area has been lashed by rain. Ruel Pableo for The National

A flooded road in Khor Fakkan. Ruel Pableo for The National

At least 870 people were rescued by emergency teams after flash floods in the UAE's Northern Emirates, the government said.

In total, 3,897 people were placed in temporary shelter in Sharjah and Fujairah and will remain there until their homes are deemed safe for them to return.

The National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (Ncema) said 20 hotels in those areas have the capacity to house an additional 1,885 people, if needed.

Weather officials said the deluge on Wednesday contributed to this month being the wettest July in more than 30 years.

It is expected that the depression will continue to exist in the west of the country and will gradually weaken during the evening and night [on Thursday]

National Centre of Meteorology

More than 50 buses have been mobilised over the past 24 hours to carry people to safety and more than 100 volunteers have been working to help residents and clean up debris and pools of water left by the heavy rainfall.

Officials assured the public that emergency and clean-up teams are working around the clock to help those in the most flood-affected areas.

No deaths or casualties were reported.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent, instructed the ERC and its centres across the country to provide all forms of logistical and field support to Emirati teams supporting those affected by the rain, in addition to putting the authority’s workers and volunteers on standby.

He also directed the authority’s teams to be placed under the command of the competent authorities, assess the situation on ground and develop plans for evacuation, shelter and psychological support, as well as provide the humanitarian needs of the affected people whenever necessary.

ERC field teams have been present since Wednesday in the affected areas in the Northern Emirates to provide the necessary support and assistance.

The ERC's emergency room is closely monitoring the weather situation and in constant contact with the concerned authorities in this regard.

A spokesman for the NCM said the adverse weather was caused by a bout of upper and surface air depression from northern India through southern Pakistan heading towards the UAE, which resulted in the formation of heavy rain clouds.

“It is expected that the depression will continue to exist in the west of the country and will gradually weaken during the evening and night [on Thursday], with the continuation of the chance of some rain clouds forming over some eastern and western regions of the country,” he said.

“In general, the situation has weakened since yesterday.”

There were 20 weather warnings issued between July 23 and today, including 70 alerts on social media.

Brig Gen Dr Ali Al Tunaiji, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, urged the public to closely monitor the NCM weather alerts and abide by warnings sent out by the authorities.

He commended the efforts of those involved in the rescue and clean-up operations.

On Thursday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, inspected the areas affected by the heavy rains in the emirate.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, centre, Fujairah Crown Prince, inspecting the areas that were affected by heavy flooding in the emirate. He was accompanied by Salem Al Zahmi, director of the Fujairah Crown Prince's Office and Brig Gen Mohammed Al Tunaiji, deputy commander-in-chief of Fujairah Police.Photo: Fujairah Media Office

During the inspection tour, he stressed that efforts will continue and all resources will be allocated to deal with the current situation.

Over the past few days, parts of the UAE have already received more than twice the country's typical annual rainfall.

The highest rainfall was recorded at a National Centre of Meteorology rain gauge in Fujairah Port where 234.9mm of rain fell from 10:30pm on July 25 to 9.18am on Thursday.

The second highest was Masafi — 209.7mm — with the third highest recorded in Fujairah Airport with 187.9mm.

Late on Wednesday, the government said non-essential public and private sector workers in flood-affected areas, including Sharjah, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah, could work from home on Thursday and Friday.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also called on nearby hotels to provide temporary accommodation for people displaced from their homes by the adverse weather. A report is being drawn up to assess the damage caused by the floods so that work can commence to protect people and property in the Emirates.

Per the latest weather report, things are expected to ease slightly on Friday, although there will be a chance of rain over some areas of the country.

"Partly cloudy in general with another increase in temperatures and the probability of some convective cloud formation over some eastern areas, which may extend over internal areas during daytime," the NCM bulletin said.

"Expect light to moderate south-easterly to north-easterly winds, freshening at times causing blowing dust and sand, with a speed of 15–25km per hour.

"The sea will be rough to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and moderate to slight in the Oman Sea."