ABU DHABI, 28th July, 2022 (WAM) – The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) said that national action teams are exerting all possible efforts to protect everyone in areas affected by the current weather conditions, stressing that the safety of everyone remains its priority.
During its media briefing on the current weather situation in the country, conducted by Dr. Taher Al Ameri, Spokesperson for NCEMA, Dr. Mohammed Al Abri, Spokesperson for the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), and Brigadier Ali Al Tunaiji, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, NCEMA presented the proactive efforts of the national authorities.
The media briefing highlighted all relevant national and local procedures and related circulars, as well as the developments of the weather around the country, which is witnessing conditions that have affected all emirates, accompanied by rain that has damaged houses and roads and disrupted services.
To support the infrastructure affected by the weather nationwide, relevant authorities formed field action teams to immediately address the repercussions.
Dr. Al Ameri pointed out that the UAE’s emergency and crisis prevention system is characterised by its readiness and flexibility. It always operates according to a proactive strategy based on predicting all scenarios to ensure everyone’s readiness, and protecting the safety of people and preserving property are major priorities, he noted.
Al Ameri assured the public that all national teams are exerting all possible efforts to protect citizens and residents, especially in affected areas.
As part of the country’s emergency and crisis management system, all relevant authorities have taken proactive measures to prepare for the weather, he added, noting that these authorities and the public have been warned.
NCEMA is coordinating with relevant authorities to provide water drawing tanks to withdraw water in affected areas, and is closely monitoring the weather situation and ensuring the readiness of all plans and strategies through the authority’s centres around the country, he further added, stressing that monitoring processes are continuing day and night to prevent potential risks and ensure the community’s safety.
NCEMA commended the role of all national and local authorities, which are working hard to contain the effects of the weather.
Ministry of Community Development’s Efforts
The briefing also highlighted the efforts of the Ministry of Community Development. Al Ameri commended the role of the ministry, which, since Wednesday, has been implementing procedures to shelter families affected by rain and floods in the eastern regions of the country.
The ministry has also coordinated with over 20 hotels to provide 827 housing units to over 1,885 people nationwide and has provided buses and other means of transportation in the affected areas to help transport families, he added, affirming that 56 buses are ready in case of any developments that could require their use.
The Ministry of Community Development is managing several registered volunteers under the national volunteering platform, who are working in three key areas. These are:
– 30 volunteers work in call centres and contact senior citizens in affected areas to check on them and see if they need anything.
– 40 volunteers are helping with the transportation of affected people on SUVs.
– 60 volunteers are taking care of families after their evacuation to safer areas.
Al Ameri stressed the importance of getting information from official sources to avoid rumours and to follow the instructions of relevant authorities.
He affirmed that under the UAE leadership’s vision and the directives of the country’s government, the safety of people and properties is a priority, stating that relevant specialist teams are working around the clock according to specific plans, to ensure readiness for emergency conditions.
Al Ameri urged the public to follow the instructions of relevant authorities, be careful and commit to instructions to not leave their homes, most notably in affected areas, affirming the need for people to drive cautiously and avoid floods and difficult mountain areas.
For his part, Dr. Al Abri discussed the weather updates and their effect on the country. The NCM is constantly monitoring the situation by analysing weather maps and data and following satellites and radars around the country, he added and noted that the centre’s technical team is monitoring the weather and issuing necessary reports and warnings.
The country witnessed an extension of an upper and surface air depression from northern India through southern Pakistan, coinciding with the movement of the orbital convergence line towards the north of the Arabian Gulf, which affected the flow of clouds from the Sea of Oman towards the UAE, interspersed with cumulus rain clouds accompanied by lightning and thunder sometimes, he stressed.
Current Situation
Al Abri said that the current weather involves a low air extension coming over the west of the country, accompanied by southeast winds and rain clouds over some eastern and western regions, most notably over the sea. The highest amount of rain recorded during this period was 234.9 mm in the Port of Fujairah, the highest recorded in July over the past 30 years.
He also expects the low air extension to continue in the west of the country that will weaken at night.
Impact on Country
Al Abri said that there is still a chance for cumulus clouds to form over the mountains. In general, south-easterly winds are moderate and active at times during the day, along with the cloud activity. The sea conditions are medium, in general, but turbulent with cumulus clouds.
The NCM is closely monitoring the weather, he said while calling on the public to follow the news and related reports, as well as the instructions of relevant authorities.
He stressed that as part of the ongoing monitoring of the weather around the country, the centre issued its first report on 23rd July to clarify any potential repercussions.
He added that 20 warnings were issued since the start of the current situation, while 70 alerts were issued on social media, in addition to other media. The centre communicates regularly with relevant authorities, and all repercussions are dealt with quickly and professionally, as preserving the safety of people and property is a top priority, he further added.
He then urged the public to only get information on the NCM’s e-platforms and social media pages and not believe or spread rumours about the weather. He advised the public to be cautious and avoid valleys and dams in areas specified by relevant authorities.
Brigadier Al Tunaiji highlighted the key procedures followed by police officers from the Fujairah Police Operations Centre, and commended the national response efforts made in coordination with local authorities to ensure the security and safety of lives and properties.
He reassured that despite the heavy rain and turbulent weather that resulted in the flow of torrents and valleys in a number of areas across the country, no casualties or serious injuries were reported, adding that damages were limited to material losses only.
The qualified teams work with a sufficient number of vehicles, Brigadier Al Tunaiji added, noting that police, rescue and ambulance teams are exerting all possible efforts to secure and protect people and properties, as well as managing traffic, while 870 persons were rescued in the emirates of Sharjah and Fujairah.