A Dh39.6 million project to upgrade Abu Dhabi’s rainwater drainage system is nearing completion and is expected to tackle the capital’s problem of waterlogging during the rains.
About 55 per cent of the project work is complete and it should be operational by the end of October this year.
The new system will modify the rainwater drainage system to make it more efficient and increase its capacity to prevent floods. This will also reduce the cost of clean-up operations, the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport announced.
The announcement was made at the intellectual majlis of Mohammed Khalaf, where the municipality often holds lectures and announces their future projects.
"The first project being implemented consists of developing several separate rainwater drainage channels across the Abu Dhabi island," said Mohammed bin Lajrid, head of planning and programming at the municipality.
The project will add new networks to developing areas and automatically connect them to the existing system. Maintenance work for existing drainage systems will also be carried out.
The over-haul of the drainage system in high on the priority list of the civic bodies across the UAE as occasional heavy rains bring the country to a standstill.
Ras Al Khaimah has developed its drainage system in low-lying areas to drain water into an underwater reservoir. The emirate has upgraded and repaired the old corniche to prevent flooding.
Sharjah Urban Planning Council is also developing the city’s drainage system to drain away rain water.
Low-lying areas like Jebel Ali and other free-hold communities like Al Furjan and Jumeirah Park in Dubai suffer from flooding after torrential rain. A proper drainage systems that works properly can stop flooding, residents said.
The Abu Dhabi municipality also announced four big roads and infrastructure projects worth Dh288.2.
Other projects being carried out by the municipality include a Dh114.7 million project for the construction of roads, parking spaces and street lights.
Another project is to develop the two-way lane heading to Al Bateen Marina, which often gets congested during rush hours. The new 1 km stretch will add more lanes to the existing road.
