Commuters between Dubai and Sharjah continued to face long delays on Monday as busy motorways between the two emirates closed due to flooding and waterlogging.
Sharjah’s Muwaileh commercial area and a section of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road were sealed off until Monday morning, Sharjah Police announced late last night.
Muwaileh has been closed on both sides, while Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road has been closed from Qasimia University to Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bridge in both directions.
A municipal worker drains flood waters close to Ibn Battuta and Discovery Gardens on Sunday. Ruel Pableo for The National
Signs were blown down across the city. Ruel Pableo for The National
A driver tries to drain water from his car near Ibn Battuta mall. Ruel Pableo for The National
An abandoned car sits in flood water near the low-lying Discovery Gardens, one of the worst-hit areas. Ruel Pableo for The National
Drivers were caught out by sudden downpours for a third day in a row on Sunday, with many getting stuck. Ruel Pableo for The National
Motorists appear to have abandoned their vehicles in this image from Ibn Battuta. Ruel Pableo for The National
A rainbow appears among the clouds in Abu Dhabi. Talib Jariwala / The National
Cloudy weather once again around the Corniche area in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
High winds caused damage to many buildings, including this one in Abu Dhabi's Tourist Club area. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
Dark clouds over the skyline of Dubai with Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. AFP
The sign for Last Exit food truck park in Jebel Ali was torn by high winds. Ruel Pableo for The National
So was this advert for Nakheel properties on Sheikh Zayed Road. Ruel Pableo for The National
Torn billboards flutter in high winds on Sheikh Zayed Road on Sunday. Ruel Pableo for The National
The low-lying Jebel Ali area is particularly badly hit. Ruel Pableo for The National
Flooding at a car park by lorries and buses in Jebel Ali on Sunday morning. Ruel Pableo for The National
Municipality workers use a pump at a waterlogged road in Internet City on Sunday. Ruel Pableo for The National
Roads around Internet City were waterlogged after a fresh downpour about 7.30am on Sunday. Ruel Pableo
Commuters head to work through Discovery Gardens. Ruel Pableo for The National
A municipality worker clearing debris in Discovery Gardens. Ruel Pableo foir The National
Rain clouds loom over the road to Abu Dhabi at 7am on Sunday morning. Commuters were hit with patches of driving rain from about 8am. Suhail Rather / The National
Municipal workers attempt to clear a flooded tunnel in Sharjah on Sunday morning. Courtesy: Sharjah Municipality
The National Center for Search and Rescue said the first rescue mission took place on Saturday morning when they received a report about two men being trapped due to flash floods in Wadi Ghashabah. A helicopter was immediately dispatched to the site where the two men, of Sudanese nationality, were found clinging to a tree about 50 meters away from the Wadi banks. The rescue team managed to airlift the men and take them to safety. Courtesy NSRC
Flooding on Al Ishoush St, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Flooding on Al Ishoush St, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Overcast skies over Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Commuters battle high water along the Al Manara and Beach road intersection. Antonie Robertson / The National
Heavy rains in Dubai during the night caused extensive flooding at intersections within the city. Antonie Robertson / The National
Commuters battle high water along the Al Manara and Beach road intersection. Antonie Robertson / The National
Water is logged outside the Movenpick Ibn Batutta Gate Hotel from heavy overnight rain. James O'Hara / The National
Water is logged outside the Movenpick Ibn Batutta Gate Hotel from heavy overnight rain. James O'Hara / The National
Traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road going to Abu Dhabi. Ramola Talwar / The National
Traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road going to Abu Dhabi. Ramola Talwar / The National
A car drives through a waterlogged road near Al Bateen airport. Scott Walker
A delivery van struggles to navigate flood waters near Al Bateen airport in Abu Dhabi on Saturday about 9am. Courtesy: Scott Walker
A man sweeps water from the running track along Kite Beach. Antonie Robertson / The National
Residents of The Greens enjoy their morning walk in the early drizzle. Antonie Robertson / The National
Barsha Heights saw a medium amount of flooding that still proved challenging to morning commuters. Antonie Robertson / The National
Barsha Heights saw a medium amount of flooding that still proved challenging to morning commuters. Antonie Robertson / The National
A municipality worker supervises water being pumped from flooding along the roads near Kite Beach. Antonie Robertson / The National
A waiter at Burts in The Greens sweeps away some water to get ready for the business day. Antonie Robertson/The National
Residents of The Greens get out their umbrellas today for their morning walk. Antonie Robertson / The National
Flooding in Barsha Heights. Antonie Robertson / The National
Residents of The Greens get out their umbrellas today for their morning walk. Antonie Robertson / The National
The Greens saw heavy rain that left the streets wet. Antonie Robertson / The National
Residents of The Greens enjoy their morning walk in the early drizzle. Antonie Robertson / The National
A municipality worker supervises water being pumped from flooding along the roads near Kite Beach. Antonie Robertson / The National
Parking areas in the Discovery Gardens area in Dubai were inundated with water and residents raced to get their cars to safer spots following heavy overnight rainfall on Saturday. Courtesy: Antonie Abreu
Flooding in Discovery Gardens. Courtesy: Antonio Abreu
Meanwhile, traffic congestion could be seen on the main roads as well the internal streets in Sharjah and Dubai, according to updates on Traffic app Waze.
Traffic was almost at a standstill on the Floating Bridge parallel to D-74 Al Ittihad street and cars are barely trailing at 7 km/hr in the morning rush hours.
The entire square of Al Qusais 1 is seeing heavy traffic in all directions.
Al Wahda street, one of Sharjah’s busiest highways, is also experiencing heavy traffic with slow-moving cars.
Traffic woes persists in Abu Dhabi too as the interchange from Yas to Sheikh Zayed Road remained closed on Monday morning, reported a motorist on Abu Dhabi Q&A, a Facebook page for traffic updates in the capital.
“Traffic is bumper-to-bumper and is being redirected to Abu Dhabi where you have to take a U-turn at the immediate exit if you’re heading to Dubai,” said the post.
However, the police reported that traffic was “usual” on Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway in the morning hours. Traffic heading to Abu Dhabi was smooth on Khalifa bridge, Mussafah bridge, Al Khaleej Al Arabi, Sheikh Zayed street and Al Raha beach. Heavy traffic was reported on Maqtaa bridge inbound, and Al Rawda Palace roundabout.
Updated: January 13, 2020, 6:02 AM