Dubai Municipality activates proactive plans to manage rain and ensure continuity of services

Dubai: Dubai Municipality has announced its full preparedness to ensure public services across the emirate remain unaffected in the event of anticipated rain. A range of precautionary measures is in place, with the municipality activating comprehensive operational and technical plans to manage rainwater accumulation, respond to emergencies and ensure continuity of services. The measures include preventive maintenance of stormwater drainage networks, enhanced readiness at wastewater treatment plants, and the mobilisation of specialised field teams, equipment and emergency response systems to safeguard residents, visitors and property during unsettled weather conditions. The municipality’s preparations are supported by an integrated, proactive response system that combines infrastructure inspections and maintenance, the strategic deployment of personnel and equipment, and continuous monitoring of weather developments. The system is designed to enable calibrated responses based on rainfall intensity, location-specific requirements and the priority of emergency reports, supported by close coordination with government entities and private sector partners. As a precaution, a rapid-response team comprising approximately 675 dedicated personnel, including engineers, supervisors, administrative staff, drivers and field workers, will be available around the clock to respond to emergencies. The team’s operations are supported by an inventory of approximately 1,100 pieces of specialised equipment and machinery. These resources support the rapid deployment of field teams to locations affected by rainwater accumulation, alongside operational arrangements that allow personnel and equipment to be mobilised according to conditions on the ground. Dubai Municipality has also contracted private sector companies to provide additional support for water removal and transportation operations when required. Optimising drainage networks As part of its infrastructure protection plans, Dubai Municipality has readied 10 temporary water collection lakes in strategic locations to accommodate rainwater runoff in the event of heavy rainfall and reduce pressure on the main drainage networks. Wastewater treatment plants have also developed flexible operational plans, supported by high-capacity logistical resources and emergency equipment, to enable water flows to be diverted to drainage lakes when necessary. The municipality has intensified preventive inspections and maintenance across its stormwater drainage infrastructure, including cleaning drainage inlets and gravity pipelines, inspecting network components and verifying their operational readiness before and during periods of rain. Preparations also include cleaning more than 70,000 drainage inlets across Dubai to improve water flow and reduce the risk of accumulation. In parallel, the municipality is coordinating with real estate developers and free zone authorities to assess their preparedness and strengthen operational readiness across relevant infrastructure networks. These measures are intended to enhance the capacity and efficiency of existing drainage systems while enabling field teams to respond to changing weather conditions and maintain public services. Eng. Adel Mohammed Al Marzouqi, CEO of the Waste and Sewerage Agency at Dubai Municipality, Head of the Municipality’s Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Team, and Head of the Rainwater Drainage Team in the emirate, reaffirmed that the safety of residents and visitors remains the municipality’s foremost priority in preparing for and responding to adverse weather conditions. Public safety steps Al Marzouqi said: “Dubai Municipality has established an integrated and proactive response system that brings together specialised teams, advanced equipment and flexible operational plans to strengthen our preparedness for the rainy season. Our priority is to ensure that infrastructure and emergency resources are ready to respond effectively to changing weather conditions, manage rainwater accumulation and address reports according to their urgency and the requirements of each location. “These preparations are supported by continuous monitoring, preventive maintenance and close coordination with our strategic partners. Through this approach, we aim to safeguard people and property, maintain the continuity of services and minimise disruption to everyday life across Dubai.” Comprehensive assessment Al Marzouqi added that Dubai Municipality had conducted a comprehensive assessment of locations affected by rainwater accumulation during previous periods of unsettled weather. The findings have informed improvements to operational plans, drainage network enhancements and the deployment of field resources, enabling teams to address recurring challenges and respond more efficiently to emergency reports. Dubai Municipality’s Command and Control Centre has strengthened its operational readiness to monitor weather developments and incoming re