UAE military's flood relief operation in eastern region is complete

Ministry of Defence Joint Operations Command sent in army personnel and vehicles after heavy rains

The Ministry of Defence has announced the completion of its operation to provide assistance and relief to people in the eastern region of the Emirates.

In response to the heaviest rainfall to hit the country in 30 years, the Joint Operations Command sent army personnel and vehicles, under 'Operation Loyal Hands', last week to Fujairah and Sharjah, where the worst flooding took place.

They helped to rescue 870 people from flooded areas and played a role in providing assistance to about 4,000 residents whose homes were badly affected. The people were moved to temporary accommodation.

After the first wave of rescues, military personnel monitored the flooded streets in heavy-duty vehicles and provided help to people who needed assistance.

They transported families from their flood-hit homes to shelters and rescued motorists from cars that had broken down.

Driving through the streets, the troops checked on motorists they suspected might have stopped because of floods.

In a tweet on Friday, the Ministry of Defence posted an image of its army personnel standing in front of a fleet of nearly 100 military vehicles with the message, "the operation ended" and the hashtag #LoyalHands.

Rain and flooding in the Northern Emirates in pictures

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