RAS AL KHAIMAH // In the rainy season, Saif Abdullah, 17, perches on top of the mountain just above his village in Wadi Baih looking for any signs of rushing water.
Taking cues from birds and goats around the flood-prone valley Saif, known to the villagers as Tarzan, is quick to read nature's signs and spread warnings of danger.
"If the phone fails I wave my headpiece and they know the flood is coming," he said.
Saif's brothers and cousins from the Habous mountain tribe respond by warning the village's 100 residents to prepare for possible rescue operations.
"We are always ready because there are always some problems after it rains," said Shaiban Mohammed, 26, the eldest in a group of four self-appointed young rescuers.
Every year, residents of the Northern Emirates die from drownings in wadi flash floods.
Officials this week renewed their annual warnings to avoid going to wadis when it rains, after the drowning death of an Emirati man, 27, at Wadi Wurayah in Fujairah on Friday.
Two years ago Ahmed Banat, 13, a Jordanian, drowned in the dam in front of his house at Wadi Sfini, Ras Al Khaimah.
Abdullah Al Yammahi, who works at the National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority where he is involved in rescue operations, said part of the problem was that people ignored warnings.
"Floods and rushing water are a serious problem in mountainous villages and wadis. They should be taken seriously," said Mr Al Yammahi, who ran as a candidate for the FNC last month. He included building flood protection in villages as part of his campaign.
But people who live in the wadis say they know how to protect themselves. Two years ago in Wadi Baih at least 100 people were evacuated by helicopter. But before the emergency crew could arrive, the residents of the wadis had done a lot of the rescuing themselves.
"Every year, same story," said Shaiban. "The city folks, Emiratis and expats come here when it rains to swim and enjoy the weather and end up stuck in a flood. Those who live here don't drown. We know our wadi and how to deal with the floods."
The wadi rescuers said most drowning cases involved people inside their 4WD vehicles that were dragged or flipped by the rushing water. They said fathers often gave misguided advice to their loved ones in such situations.
"They yell do this and that, and end up almost drowning themselves and their families," Shaiban said.
Equipped with ropes, rubber rafts and plenty of determination, the rescuers are sometimes injured during their operations. They say mobile phones often don't work so warning messages may come late.
Shaiban showed a photo he took on his mobile phone in recent floods, where the residents formed a human rope in the water as they rescued a family trapped on top of a car, then dragged them to higher grounds.
"We understand why they come here: we all love the rain and wait for it," said Abdul Rahman Mohammed, Shaiban's brother. "Just be careful and don't come right after the rain. Wait a couple of hours, see if there are no warnings, and then come."
Workers at the dams in the wadis are preparing for the floods, with trucks digging and widening the open dam in Wadi Baih in preparation for the rain.
The rainy season has already begun, with heavy falls expected in the mountain area of the country throughout the week.
Waiting for flash floods is the norm for wadi residents. Many protect their homes by surrounding them with tyres and trenches, and stock up on food and water in case they become trapped for a few days.
"It reaches as high up as here," said Saeed Sodeen, 15, pointing to his waist.
Living with his family in Wadi Ghalilah, another flood-prone valley, Saeed is the man of the house whenever his father is delayed by floods.
"He is away working and sometimes he doesn't make it home before we get blocked off by the water," said Saeed, who has four brothers and two sisters.
The damaged dirt roads and the areas surrounding his home and others in the village trace the paths of the rushing water.
"First thing we do, we shut off the electricity," Saeed said. "Then we throw blankets and towels on the floors, especially near the doors."
Last year he saw a car flip in the flood waters and its driver become trapped inside.
"He didn't make it. It was scary but that is part of our reality here," Saeed said.
Asked if he would move to the city, he said: "It is our home. Rain come and go, but we won't."
