Residents and business owners are facing up to significant damage to property and financial losses in the wake of the storm that swept through large parts of the UAE this week.
Most of the country was lashed by torrential rain and thunderstorms throughout Tuesday, with the weather only improving later on Wednesday.
The heavy rain triggered severe floods that resulted in several roads being blocked and forced the cancellation of numerous flights due to overflowing water.
One businessman in Sharjah estimated his losses as in excess of Dh1.7 million.
“The water just kept rising, and despite all my efforts with barriers and sandbags, it surged over the sidewalk and shattered our store's glass facade,” said Abdel Fattah Mahmoud, from Jordan, owner of Dandana Musical Instruments Establishment.
His store and warehouse, established in 1996, were flooded, with the water destroying hundreds of valuable musical instruments.
He described the chaos as rainwater mixed with sewage spread through his store, ruining prized instruments including 100 pianos with a combined value of Dh700,000.
"I called every possible number, trying to reach the municipality through landlines, WhatsApp, and toll-free numbers, but either no one answered or the lines were busy," he told The National.
Mr Mahmoud tried to hire private tankers to help clear the flooding but that also failed as they were restricted from entering the flood-hit area.
He said that with 28 years in the business, his store has been a significant supplier to schools and ministries throughout the UAE.
“But the disaster jeopardises my ability to fulfil several ongoing contracts," he said.
“I have commitments that I can't meet now, and without liquid funds to purchase new stock, I’m in a tough position."
He also spoke of his attempts to find insurance against this kind of damage being frustrated.
“Every year, I've tried to insure against such disasters, but the companies always tell me they don't offer such policies,” he said.
Mr Mahmoud also highlighted the persistent problem of passing vehicles pushing more water into shops even after the rain stopped.
“It’s an ongoing battle," he said.
Another owner of a musical instrument shop in Al Khan also suffered significant losses due to the storm.
“The water was nearly 60cm deep inside my shop and over a metre outside,” said Wagdy Wadee, owner of Al Fan Al Raqi musical instrument shop.
He shared a video of the flooded shop on social media.
The Egyptian man, who moved his business from Egypt to Sharjah just a year ago, described how the flood waters forced his shop's door open and caused extensive damage.
“I lost many invoices, documents, and valuable instruments like guitars and ouds, potentially amounting to Dh80,000," he said.
He had attempted preventive measures using sand and wooden bars, but that didn’t work.
“The force of the water broke through the glass doors. Thankfully, the neighbouring shops were empty, preventing further losses," he said.
Other residents reported damage to their homes and apartments.
Counting the damage
Salma Om Emad, an Algerian who has been resident in the UAE since 2012 and lives in Al Qasimiya, Sharjah, told The National about the ordeal her family faced when their two-bedroom apartment on King Faisal Street was inundated with water.
“It was a disaster,” she said.
“Water was flooding in from the windows and seeping through the edges of the walls.
"I called the security, but they directed me to the real estate office, which hasn’t responded to any of my calls.”
The mother of two teenagers expressed fears about the building's structural integrity.
“I had to have my children sleep in the living room because the walls felt like they could collapse at any moment,” she said.
Concerned for their safety, she turned off the electricity to prevent any potential short circuits.
“I’ve complained before about how the building looks good from the outside but feels fragile inside.”
“Even hanging curtains is a challenge because the walls can't support the weight,” she said.
COMPANY%20PROFILE%3A
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The%20specs
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Company%C2%A0profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Squad
Ali Kasheif, Salim Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdulrahman, Mohammed Al Attas, Abdullah Ramadan, Zayed Al Ameri (Al Jazira), Mohammed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammed Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Essa, Mohammed Shaker, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah) Walid Abbas, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli), Tariq Ahmed, Jasim Yaqoub (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Muharami (Baniyas)
The%20Roundup
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Representing%20UAE%20overseas
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
PRISCILLA
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Sofia%20Coppola%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Cailee%20Spaeny%2C%20Jacob%20Elordi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
RESULTS
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner RB Money To Burn, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner Ekhtiyaar, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson.
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Commanding, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner Benbatl, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor.
8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Zakouski, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Kimbear, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Platinum Star, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor.
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Key Victory, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
ENGLAND SQUAD
Joe Root (captain), Dom Sibley, Rory Burns, Dan Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes (wicketkeeper), Moeen Ali, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad
Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
