The United Arab Emirates’ cabinet approved 2 billion dirhams ($544.6 million) to deal with damage to homes from the rain and storm last week that left buildings inundated and roads and highways inaccessible.
Prime Minister and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum announced the aid to help the country’s residents cope with the aftermath of the heaviest rains the UAE has seen in 75 years. President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered authorities last week to assess the damage and provide support to families impacted by the storm, UAE state news agency (WAM) had said.
What happened in UAE?
On April 14-15, extreme rainfall battered regions of the Arabian Peninsula. Dubai experienced more than 14 cm of rainfall in 24 hours, equivalent to a year-and-a-half of typical rain and the heaviest on record since 1949. Four fatalities occurred in flooded cars in the UAE.
The flooding wreaked havoc, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, power outages and disruptions to daily life. Dubai airport, the world’s busiest international airport, faced significant delays and cancellations due to flooded runways.
Govt aid comes in addition to private assistance
Even before the government announced the aid, Dubai developers assured to provide repairs to affected residents free of cost. Among them was private real estate developer MAG, which pledged to “cover all the costs of necessary repairs for affected residents, across its residential developments,” Khaleej Times reported.
Emaar Properties too said it will repair all the properties in its communities in Dubai at no cost to residents. Other top property developers that offered similar assistance were Damac Properties, Nakheel, Dubai Holding, Union Properties and Dubai Investment Park.
Some developers are also offering additional services like alternative housing for affected residents, pest control services, cleaning services inside homes, helping in assessing potential risks to properties, documenting damages caused by the rains to claim insurance and distributing food to communities, another report by Khaleej Times stated.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates’ central bank directed lenders and insurers to defer loan repayments for six months, CNBC reported.
Vehicle repair bills may go as high as Rs 9 lakh
Garage owners and mechanics are facing a flood of vehicles needing repairs. With thousands of cars needing extensive work, there are concerns about insurance coverage for those damaged by the floods. Reportedly, some motorists may face repair bills as high as Rs 9 lakh (40,000 Dirhams), especially if their insurance claims are denied.
Sharjah homeowners can apply for aid
Those affected in Sharjah can apply for aid through the Sharjah Digital Platform using the following link: http://e.shj.ae/inquiry. The provided link systematise gathering reports that prove the extent of the damage, help organise aid and allow them to benefit from the assistance offered to homeowners affected by natural disasters in Sharjah.
Some in UAE show symptoms of water poisoning
A small number of people in the United Arab Emirates have shown symptoms associated with contaminated water after heavy rains and floods, the health ministry said. The statement, carried by the state news agency late on Wednesday, did not say exactly how many people had been affected or what exactly they were treated for.
There have been “a very limited number of cases that showed some symptoms of being affected by the mixed water” and they received hospital treatment, the ministry said. It did not mention what the water had been contaminated with.
Climate change, El Nino behind heavy rainfall event in UAE, Oman: Study
Rainfall events in El Nino years, such as the recent one that impacted the UAE and Oman, have become 10-40 per cent heavier in this region of the Arabian Peninsula, according to a rapid study by an international team of leading climate scientists.
While the researchers from the World Weather Attribution group could not precisely determine the exact contribution of human-caused climate change to this increase, they said warming caused by burning fossil fuels is likely the primary driver behind the escalating rainfall.
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