Floodwaters in Fujairah, days after heavy rains fell in the Northern Emirates. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Floodwaters in Fujairah, days after heavy rains fell in the Northern Emirates. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Universal Electronics near Fujairah's corniche, where goods worth tens of thousands were damaged by floodwaters. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Universal Electronics near Fujairah's corniche, where goods worth tens of thousands were damaged by floodwaters. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Some of the stock damaged at Universal Electronics. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Some of the stock damaged at Universal Electronics. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Abul Razzaque, owner of Sahal Mobile Phones, said the water was more than 60 centimetres high. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Abul Razzaque, owner of Sahal Mobile Phones, said the water was more than 60 centimetres high. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Mr Razzaque has received several phones for repair since the flooding. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Mr Razzaque has received several phones for repair since the flooding. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Shihab Kadavanda, manager of Ahla Zahra Groceries said most of their customers are staying at home. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Shihab Kadavanda, manager of Ahla Zahra Groceries said most of their customers are staying at home. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Presod Unnithean, a technician and salesman at Eye Care Centre, said flooding damaged thousands of dirhams worth of stock at the shop in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Presod Unnithean, a technician and salesman at Eye Care Centre, said flooding damaged thousands of dirhams worth of stock at the shop in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Goods, equipment and a computer with important files were destroyed by the flooding at Eye Care Centre. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Goods, equipment and a computer with important files were destroyed by the flooding at Eye Care Centre. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

UAE

UAE floods: Businesses in Fujairah pick up the pieces and count the cost

Staff return to destroyed stock and damaged premises after shops go without electricity for three days

Patrick Ryan
Patrick Ryan

July 30, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Business owners in Fujairah were counting the cost of the flooding in the emirate that left a trail of destruction and forced them to close for three days.

Shops along Fujairah Corniche were among the worst hit by the floodwaters that caused shock and devastation earlier this week.

It was back to business on Saturday morning for restaurant and shop owners, who were hoping to see a return to some kind of normality, after several days of chaos caused by the deluge.

While some will be able to cover the cost of the repairs and replace damaged stock through their insurance, others told The National they would have to bear the expenses from their own pockets.

We’re open again for business but most of our customers are staying at home because of the flooding
Shihab Kadavanda,
Ahla Zahra Groceries

“We had fridges, air-conditioning units damaged by about two feet [60 centimetres] of flooding across the entire store,” said Mohamed Musthafa, manager of Universal Electronics near the corniche.

“We suffered about Dh150,000 worth of damage to our stock, just from the water seeping across the main showroom and storage area.

“We were also closed for three days which was a significant loss of income as we take about Dh40,000 minimum a day on average.”

Mohamed Musthafa, manager of Universal Electronics in Fujairah, said the shop had to close for three days. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Mohamed Musthafa, manager of Universal Electronics in Fujairah, said the shop had to close for three days. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

While the water damage to stock was covered by his company’s insurance, there was no way they would be able to recover the lost earnings, he added.

Emergency teams have been working around the clock since Tuesday night to rescue hundreds of people in various flood-affected areas of Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah.

Seven people were found dead as a result of the flooding, authorities announced on Friday.

More than 800 people were rescued and thousands more were placed in temporary accommodation, after widespread flooding caused by the unseasonal summer deluge.

Unexpected trade

Abul Razzaque, owner of Sahal Mobile Phones, has been receiving several phones for repair, after the damages caused by rain in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Abul Razzaque, owner of Sahal Mobile Phones, has been receiving several phones for repair, after the damages caused by rain in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Many of the businesses on Fujairah Corniche remained closed on Saturday, their entrances still waterlogged, making them all but impossible to reach for most customers.

However, some were open for business and determined to make up for lost earnings and time.

“We had no electricity for three days and it only came back on last night,” said Abul Razzaque, owner of Sahal Mobile Phones.

“The water was more than two feet high and it damaged a lot of equipment, especially mobile phone parts that we use for repairs.

“The damage isn’t covered by insurance so it’s going to have to be paid for by us. I reckon we’ve suffered damage around the value of Dh25,000.”

It was not all doom and gloom for Mr Razzaque though, as he said his company had picked up some unexpected trade as a result of the flooding.

“We’ve not had many customers this morning so far, but we’ve had a few who all want us to repair their phones that were damaged by the flooding,” he said.

Presod Unnithean, a technician and salesman at Eye Care Centre, said flooding damaged thousands of dirhams worth of stock at the shop in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Presod Unnithean, a technician and salesman at Eye Care Centre, said flooding damaged thousands of dirhams worth of stock at the shop in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The floodwaters caused more than financial damage to another business along the corniche.

“We had a computer with most of our files on it destroyed by the flooding,” said Naranya Sami, owner of Eye Care Centre opticians.

“I estimate the damage will end up costing us about Dh10,000 in total,” including lost earnings.

When The National visited the store, staff were busy repairing water damage to dozens of spectacle cases on the front counter as well as what was left of the company’s computer.

He said it may take a few days before customers return to the shops.

“We’re open again for business but most of our customers are staying at home because of the flooding,” said Shihab Kadavanda, manager of Ahla Zahra Groceries.

“You can’t blame them. People don’t want to wade through several feet of water to get to a shop.”

'I've never seen rain like it': UAE residents return to flooded homes and submerged cars

Volunteers from the community service group Takatof sweep debris from a road, after the floods in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Volunteers from the community service group Takatof sweep debris from a road, after the floods in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Takatof volunteers carry the collected debris away with a wheelbarrow. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Takatof volunteers carry the collected debris away with a wheelbarrow. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Municipality workers drain water from a flooded road in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Municipality workers drain water from a flooded road in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The volunteers work on another part of the road. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The volunteers work on another part of the road. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Workers pump floodwaters from the roads into tankers in Fujairah city. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Workers pump floodwaters from the roads into tankers in Fujairah city. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Life was returning to normal in the emirate, on Saturday. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Life was returning to normal in the emirate, on Saturday. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A vehicle surrounded by floodwaters. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A vehicle surrounded by floodwaters. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Receding floodwaters in Fujairah city. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Receding floodwaters in Fujairah city. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Eminence Private School surrounded by water after heavy rains in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Eminence Private School surrounded by water after heavy rains in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Authorities are continuing with a clean-up operation in the city. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Authorities are continuing with a clean-up operation in the city. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Waterlogged streets in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Waterlogged streets in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Sadaf Resturant during a clean-up and renovations after the floods. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Sadaf Resturant during a clean-up and renovations after the floods. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A waterlogged street in Kalba. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A waterlogged street in Kalba. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Residents Tarikul Alauddin and Mojammel Ali, from Bangladesh, outside their house in Kalba, which was heavily damaged by flooding and left with no electricity. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Residents Tarikul Alauddin and Mojammel Ali, from Bangladesh, outside their house in Kalba, which was heavily damaged by flooding and left with no electricity. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Property belonging to Wali Said, from Pakistan, inside his flooded home in Kalba. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Property belonging to Wali Said, from Pakistan, inside his flooded home in Kalba. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Abdelbasit Hassan's home and car (not pictured) were damaged by the heavy rainfall in Kalba. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Abdelbasit Hassan's home and car (not pictured) were damaged by the heavy rainfall in Kalba. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Tahidul Islam, from Bangladesh, sweeps out dirty water after the floods in Kalba subsided. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Tahidul Islam, from Bangladesh, sweeps out dirty water after the floods in Kalba subsided. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Municipality workers clean up an area affected by floods in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Municipality workers clean up an area affected by floods in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Staff at a restaurant scoop up water surrounding the premises in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Staff at a restaurant scoop up water surrounding the premises in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Lorries slowly make their way on a heavily flooded road in the city. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Lorries slowly make their way on a heavily flooded road in the city. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A car swept into a ditch by floodwaters in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A car swept into a ditch by floodwaters in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A construction vehicle partially submerged on a street in the city. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A construction vehicle partially submerged on a street in the city. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
People walk across pools of water. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
People walk across pools of water. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A vehicle stalled by heavy rain and floodwaters in Fujairah on Friday. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A vehicle stalled by heavy rain and floodwaters in Fujairah on Friday. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A flooded area in Fujairah city. Photo: Fujairah Media Office
A flooded area in Fujairah city. Photo: Fujairah Media Office
Jama Al Ghurfa Mosque on Fujairah's corniche surrounded by floodwaters. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Jama Al Ghurfa Mosque on Fujairah's corniche surrounded by floodwaters. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Vehicles on a waterlogged road in the city. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Vehicles on a waterlogged road in the city. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A food and entertainment area surrounded by water in Fujairah, after days of rain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A food and entertainment area surrounded by water in Fujairah, after days of rain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Vehicles partially submerged on the streets of the city. Photo: Mahesh Jangam / @MaheshMj80202 / Twitter
Vehicles partially submerged on the streets of the city. Photo: Mahesh Jangam / @MaheshMj80202 / Twitter
A stalled minibus on a street in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A stalled minibus on a street in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A flooded shop on the corniche in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A flooded shop on the corniche in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Drivers navigate a flooded motorway in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Drivers navigate a flooded motorway in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Floodwaters surround a leisure and entertainment area in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Floodwaters surround a leisure and entertainment area in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Towers in Fujairah city surrounded by floodwaters. Photo: Mahesh Jangam / @MaheshMj80202 / Twitter
Towers in Fujairah city surrounded by floodwaters. Photo: Mahesh Jangam / @MaheshMj80202 / Twitter
A dam in the emirate of Fujairah overflows. Photo: Fujairah Media Office
A dam in the emirate of Fujairah overflows. Photo: Fujairah Media Office
A car makes its way through floodwaters . Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A car makes its way through floodwaters . Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

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Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

Key products and UAE prices

iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229

iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649

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Apple Watch Series 4
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On Women's Day
Gender equality in the workplace still 200 years away

It will take centuries to achieve gender parity in workplaces around the globe, according to a December report from the World Economic Forum.

The WEF study said there had been some improvements in wage equality in 2018 compared to 2017, when the global gender gap widened for the first time in a decade.

But it warned that these were offset by declining representation of women in politics, coupled with greater inequality in their access to health and education.

At current rates, the global gender gap across a range of areas will not close for another 108 years, while it is expected to take 202 years to close the workplace gap, WEF found.

The Geneva-based organisation's annual report tracked disparities between the sexes in 149 countries across four areas: education, health, economic opportunity and political empowerment.

After years of advances in education, health and political representation, women registered setbacks in all three areas this year, WEF said.

Only in the area of economic opportunity did the gender gap narrow somewhat, although there is not much to celebrate, with the global wage gap narrowing to nearly 51 per cent.

And the number of women in leadership roles has risen to 34 per cent globally, WEF said.

At the same time, the report showed there are now proportionately fewer women than men participating in the workforce, suggesting that automation is having a disproportionate impact on jobs traditionally performed by women.

And women are significantly under-represented in growing areas of employment that require science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills, WEF said.

* Agence France Presse

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Engine: 2x201bhp AC Permanent-magnetic electric

Transmission: n/a

Power: 402bhp

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