2,300 people, 700 teams: how Dubai dealt with more than 10,000 emergencies on a rainy day – News
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A Dubai Municipality employee works to clear water from a street after heavy rain on Saturday. — Photos: supplied
Dubai Police reported receiving more than 10,000 calls to its emergency and non-emergency hotlines on Saturday during the adverse weather conditions.
Police received a total of 10,232 calls between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. The emergency telephone number 999 received 9,275 of these calls, while the non-emergency telephone number 901 received 957 calls.
Dubai’s emergency response teams demonstrated high levels of preparedness in handling emergency situations across the emirate, Dubai Media Office said in a statement.
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The authorities deployed a total of 2,300 personnel from various entities, including Dubai Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Police, Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment and Nakheel to respond to emergencies and mitigate the impact of heavy rains.
A police officer controls traffic on a flooded street in Dubai.
The teams were equipped with more than 700 pieces of equipment, including 250 water tankers, 300 rainwater pumps, more than 180 emergency vehicles, field inspection vehicles, machinery and other heavy equipment, to deal with the water-logging conditions.
In light of the current weather conditions, Dubai Police has advised the public to exercise caution. They urged the public to call 999 only in emergency situations and to use 901 for all other non-emergency purposes.
An RTA officer on duty during Saturday’s heavy rain.
Dubai Police also advised drivers to stay away from flooded areas, valleys and low-lying areas as adverse weather conditions continue. In particular, they warned the public against entering the valleys to ensure safety of lives and property.
Dubai authorities have come up with a comprehensive plan to ensure the safety of the public and address any issues that may arise due to the heavy rain.
Field teams’ strategy to mitigate the effects of adverse weather leverages historical data and statistics from previous rainy seasons. Preventive planning and scenario creation have allowed them to maintain smooth traffic flows and quickly address waterlogging.
Members of the public can report any issues through the smart apps of Dubai Municipality, RTA and Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment, or their contact centers at the following numbers: 800900, 8009090, 80030, respectively.
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