Dubai rains flood communities; water seeps into homes, cars

‘Abandon all hope’ were the words uttered by one Bur Dubai motorist who attempted to brave the morning commute to Abu Dhabi, the day after a mighty storm battered the UAE.

Two hours later and reaching only the outskirts of Dubai Marina, she, like many others, turned tail and returned home.

Video courtesy Carlton Real Estate

Severe waterlogging and road diversions have people taking to social media to vent their frustration, with Sheikh Zayed Road, Discovery Gardens and the Dubai Investments Park exits amongst the most affected.

At 11am, if you are braving the commute, here is what you need to know:

Sheikh Zayed Road

An hour after the morning rush hour peak and people see no end in sight to the commute towards Jebel Ali, and beyond, to Abu Dhabi.

The Roads and Transport Authority, along with Dubai Police and Dubai Municipality, have appealed to motorists coming from and going to Abu Dhabi to use Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road due to the accumulation of rainwater.

Dubai Police has also confirmed Interchange number 7, towards Abu Dhabi remains closed to traffic and folks are being diverted via the truck road.

However, the traffic snarls hit right near Dubai Marina, with people complaining of sitting in gridlock for over two hours and counting.

If you can, use alternative roads or work from home until the situation clears.

Discovery Gardens

One of the worst hit communities if the aftermath of the Dubai rains, residents were saying it took them 45 minutes to an hour to simply reach the exits.

One resident, Emma K, tweeted: “Tried to leave the house this morning. Got to Discovery Gardens back road, saw traffic and water still, swiftly turned around. Working from home it is!”

MK Dubai tweeted: “Day after the storm and Discovery Gardens is still flooded.”

People posted images of trees uprooted, cars sunk in floodwaters up to their windshields and building entrances under water, forcing several residents to stay indoors on Thursday.

One resident, however, is grateful for the workers who drained water from flooded roads through the night and are still working at clearing the water from the community.

Dubai Investments Park/Green community

Another community that went under water saw the morning after with roads washed away and littered with debris, with muddy pools of stagnant water blocking exits.

One resident stated: “I had to abandon my car entering the community and walked home yesterday. Today, I returned to find it under water.

“Now I simply wait for the clean-up crew to clear the area to salvage the situation.”

Meanwhile, those who have managed to reach the DIP roundabout to exit the area are also complaining of gridlock on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.

‘Help each other’ was the call from Carlton Real Estate, which posted images of one its villas under water in the community.

It stated: “The day after the rain is not so much fun! Help each other this is one of our villas in Green community.”

Images show flood waters have entered the villa, with water levels reaching up to their knees.

Residents within the community have similar stories, with emergency crew working overtime to drain the water out.

Pictures have also emerged of floodwaters trapping vehicles in garages, with knee-high levels of rainwater flooding community shopping malls.

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