United Arab Emirates: 4 days after evacuating their flooded homes, displaced residents assess the damage – News

For three consecutive days, incessant rains have lashed the city of Kalba, flooding the eastern region of Sharjah and causing damage to several homes. Mohammed Murshidul Islam is among hundreds of residents rescued from their homes.

“It started raining heavily around 10pm (February 11) and the roads were submerged within a short time. We were all awake and received messages that authorities would evacuate people from their homes in certain areas,” Islam said. , a building maintenance executive and resident of Mughaider in Kalba.

On Sunday, February 11, residents of eastern cities in the UAE were informed to remain alert due to impending bad weather conditions. Heavy rain was forecast that could cause flooding in some neighborhoods.

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp channels.

At around 2 a.m. on February 12, authorities and a handful of social workers evacuated Mughaider residents, ensuring their safe relocation to schools. “For the last three days it rained a lot and we were asked not to visit our houses because the water level was over 3 feet,” said the 46-year-old.

On the fourth day, the Bangladeshi expatriate was accompanied by a police officer to assess the damage. “I visited my house and saw extensive damage. Everything from sofas and cabinets to carpets, utensils, refrigerator and washing machine had been affected,” said Islam, who, along with his family, has been moved to Al Shifa School .

“We spend our days joining other evacuated families in the area. We talk to our relatives at home, share meals and take walks on the road when the rain lets up,” Islam said.

Despite being displaced from their homes, Kalba residents are grateful for the timely evacuation and thanked the authorities for serving them efficiently and satisfactorily.

Displaced residents have been provided with food, mattresses and various services, easing their worries.

“We express our gratitude to the authorities for taking care of us. They have been providing us with nutritious and delicious meals, including snacks. In addition, we have received mattresses, pillows, blankets and even new clothes,” said Abdul Rahman, a shopkeeper from Kalba.

“The only concern we have is the uncertainty about the state of our houses since the authorities have cordoned off the area. But I know it is for our safety,” said the 50-year-old Pakistani expatriate.

A few social organizations in Kalba have been actively involved, evacuating them and providing them with food and other necessities.

Pramod Pattanoor, central committee secretary of the Fujairah Kalba Unit of the Kairali Cultural Association, said evacuations were still taking place in some neighbourhoods.

“The rain has not stopped and the water level rises immediately after the downpour. With the help of authorities, we evacuated an elderly woman who got scared when the water level rose near her house,” Pattanoor said.

“Our organization works 24 hours a day to help people in need. We have been circulating messages throughout the region to contact us if we need it. Residents who have been relocated are waiting to return to their homes and return to normalcy,” Pattanoor said.

Sixty-one Emirati families, including 346 people, were also evacuated from the eastern region. Of the total families, 56 were accommodated in the city of Kalba, while three families were accommodated in the city of Dibba Al Hisn and two families in Khor Fakkan.

[ad_2]