Making boats and providing food: How UAE residents help each other in flood-affected areas – News

The northern city of Kalba (which belongs to Sharjah Municipality), on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates, is dealing with flooding caused by torrential rains. Authorities and social welfare organizations have taken swift action and evacuated numerous residents to safer places such as hotels and schools.

“Many areas in Kalba, especially in the industrial zone, are submerged in water. When the water levels started to rise, we swung into action and helped people move to safer places,” said Mohammed Nabeel, president of the Kairali Fujairah Cultural Association, Kalba Unit. .

“We sent a message in [chat] groups asking people for help,” Nabeel said.

Residents who have been evacuated to a safer place told Khaleej Times that they have no idea about the state of their properties.

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“We were evacuated as soon as it started raining as our neighborhood is a low-lying area,” said Aftab Husaain, a resident of Mugaidher in Kalba.

“We don’t know the status of our house. The area is cordoned off and we are not allowed to enter our houses for security reasons,” Aftab said.

Affected business

Many businesses in the affected area have temporarily closed and residents are waiting for water levels to recede.

“I don’t know when we will resume our business. There is no sign that the water levels are receding,” said Unnikrishnan, a mechanic at a workshop in Shahiniya, Kalba.

“The cars that were inside the garage are also submerged in water and we currently cannot estimate the losses,” he said.

Emergency crews are working tirelessly to clear water from major roads, ensuring a safer environment for everyone.

Despite the adversity, residents are coming together and offering help to each other, especially with essential needs.

“I am providing food to people who are stuck in camps and residential units. I have to walk almost 800 meters to deliver the food to them,” said Khan, a Kalba resident who works as a carpenter.

Many neighbors are making improvised boats to move from one place to another and help people in the surrounding area.

“We have used foam and aluminum sheets to build this boat. The entire area is submerged in water and we are transporting people who want to move around to get essentials,” Ashraful said.

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