A team of Emirati volunteers, including jet ski racing champions and scuba divers, have been recognised for their role in helping stranded residents when the country was hit by its worst storms on record.
The 40-strong group of men and women came together to navigate flooded roads and streets to help bring food and medical supplies to people in waterlogged homes.
The grass roots response was mobilised by an impassioned plea for support sent out on WhatsApp when the country was lashed by nearly two years of rain in a single day last Tuesday.
“We have never had rain like this and I’m shocked like everyone, but to be honest, I’ve learnt that we can handle anything and whatever happens, we will be ready for it.
Jamal Al Janahi
Jet ski competitors Jamal Al Janahi, 33, and Saud Al Nuaimi, 37, both from Ajman, were determined to use their sporting prowess to help others out.
“I’ve always loved to help. Ever since I was young, if anyone’s car was stuck anywhere, I would get my car and help pull them out,” said Mr Al Janahi.
The father-of-three also used his off-road SUV to battle through rough terrain made largely inaccessible by the unprecedented deluge.
“Helping others is what I have always done and want to die doing,” he said.
“It isn’t only about being Emirati; it's about being human.”
Flood threat
The quickly-assembled group pinpointed the Al Suyoh district in Sharjah, which was among the worst hit.
“I knew that there were areas that would be difficult for the armed forces and military vehicles to reach easily, so I put out a call to all my friends to ask everyone who owned a jet ski or a boat to help the residents,” said Al Janahi.
“There would be hundreds if we didn’t stop. Everyone wanted to be part of it; everyone wanted to be with the government while they were assisting others.”
The small army of helpers worked for three days on boats and jet skis, travelling as far as Ajman and Dubai.
“Some needed their medications or their phones. We made sure they had what they needed,” he said.
Rising to the challenge
“We have never had rain like this and I’m shocked like everyone, but to be honest, I’ve learnt that we can handle anything and whatever happens, we will be ready for it.
“This is a desert country that has experienced more rain in one day than most countries experience in a month, and in less than a week, everything has gone back to normal. We unite during hardships and we come back stronger,”
The group included divers who descended into the floodwaters to open doors jammed due to the heavy rain.
Fellow jet ski rider Mr Al Nuami works for Dubai Police, but offered his support as a volunteer and not in his official capacity.
'We were all united: UAE nationals, expats, men and women, both young and old. We were a family who wanted to help one another. This is humanity and the love of your country," he said.
'We wanted to be side by side with the police, the civil defence, and the army while they did their job. Everyone wanted to contribute and help in their own way.”
His priority was to ensure lives were not lost in the treacherous weather, even if property fell by the wayside.
“If there was one goal, it was that no lives were lost in all of this because everything else can be replaced,” he said.
For the families who wanted to go back to their homes to retrieve belongings, Al Nuaimi would first ensure the house was safe for them to enter.
He would then accompany them inside and transport them back to their temporary accommodation.
Show of solidarity
Abdulrahman Al Hammadi's family, including his 65-year-old mother, leapt into action when the intense rains hit in Al Suyoh. They offered food, blankets and towels to residents – including young children who were shivering in fear.
Mr Al Hammadi received a frantic call from his sister, telling him her house was flooded.
“When I made sure my sister and nephews were safe, we got our boat and started to see if anyone needed help,' he said.
Mr Al Hammadi helped evacuate stricken residents on his boat, handing them over to armed forces members who will able to provide shelter in hotels.
Mr Al Hammadi helped evacuate a heavily pregnant woman who was in her last term.
"The bottom floor of her house was flooded, and I was worried that she would slip, and I knew it would be hard for her to climb up on to a boat, so we made a trail of tables that she could walk over until she reached the boat,” he said.
The team also got calls to come to the aid of pets caught up in the floods.
"We had so many calls from residents who wanted their cats or birds and even fish. For me and my family, we wanted not only to help evacuate but for everyone to be as comfortable as possible."
He remembers a young girl, aged about nine, who cried out to him, fearing she would die.
"I told her that nobody was going to die and lifted her up on my shoulders and put her on the boat,” he said.
"I didn't want us to lose any souls because that is the one thing that can't be replaced. I really didn't care about my own safety or all the damage or anything else.”
His sister, Hanan Al Hammadi, said it was a natural Emirati trait to give your all to help others.
“Helping others is an instinct that is in Emiratis and our family,” she said.
“If my father wasn't bedridden, he would be outside with us helping everyone.
“This is Emirati; we are here for one another; we sacrifice ourselves for others, and we unite.”
Sharjah hit by severe storms – in pictures
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Tips for avoiding trouble online
- Do not post incorrect information and beware of fake news
- Do not publish or repost racist or hate speech, yours or anyone else’s
- Do not incite violence and be careful how to phrase what you want to say
- Do not defame anyone. Have a difference of opinion with someone? Don’t attack them on social media
- Do not forget your children and monitor their online activities
CONCRETE COWBOY
Directed by: Ricky Staub
Starring: Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome
3.5/5 stars
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MATCH INFO
Northern Warriors 92-1 (10 ovs)
Russell 37 no, Billings 35 no
Team Abu Dhabi 93-4 (8.3 ovs)
Wright 48, Moeen 30, Green 2-22
Team Abu Dhabi win by six wickets
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 5 (Lenglet 2', Vidal 29', Messi 34', 75', Suarez 77')
Valladolid 1 (Kiko 15')
Who is Tim-Berners Lee?
Sir Tim Berners-Lee was born in London in a household of mathematicians and computer scientists. Both his mother, Mary Lee, and father, Conway, were early computer scientists who worked on the Ferranti 1 - the world's first commercially-available, general purpose digital computer. Sir Tim studied Physics at the University of Oxford and held a series of roles developing code and building software before moving to Switzerland to work for Cern, the European Particle Physics laboratory. He developed the worldwide web code as a side project in 1989 as a global information-sharing system. After releasing the first web code in 1991, Cern made it open and free for all to use. Sir Tim now campaigns for initiatives to make sure the web remains open and accessible to all.
The bio
Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales
Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow
Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades
Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus
Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga
Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
England Test squad
Ben Stokes (captain), Joe Root, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
Final results:
Open men
Australia 94 (4) beat New Zealand 48 (0)
Plate men
England 85 (3) beat India 81 (1)
Open women
Australia 121 (4) beat South Africa 52 (0)
Under 22 men
Australia 68 (2) beat New Zealand 66 (2)
Under 22 women
Australia 92 (3) beat New Zealand 54 (1)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Honeymoonish
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What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
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
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at Mount Maunganui
England 353
Stokes 91, Denly 74, Southee 4-88
New Zealand 144-4
Williamson 51, S Curran 2-28
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Read more from Aya Iskandarani
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
