UMM AL QAIWAIN // Hundreds of homes in the emirate have had only intermittent water supplies this week.
Authorities say the cuts in supply are due to scheduled maintenance work at several water plants, but residents complain the work could not have come at a worse time and has disrupted their observance of Ramadan.
Some have resorted to filling their water tanks at their own expense, buying supplies from the tankers that usually supply industrial areas or older homes that are not connected to the distribution network.
"I have had to buy a water tank to help me preserve water for my family. It is Ramadan and one can not live without water," said one resident, Ahmed Abdullah, an Emirati businessman in his 50s.
He said his family had purchased eight tanks of water over the past week at a total cost of almost Dh500 (US$135).
An imam in a mosque near Salama market who gave his name as Yasin also said he had to purchase water for his followers to perform their wudhu, or ablutions, on the second day of Ramadan during the midday prayers.
The problem had been remedied before the evening prayer, but he said he had been worried that he would have to hold iftar without water.
He had scrambled to get in touch with local water officials and "luckily they helped us fix the problem in time".
Sultan Salem, the head of the inspection division at the emirate's electricity and water authority, said the cuts had been due to annual maintenance at the water plants. He said residents had been informed about the repair work in advance.
Maintenance on a plant takes normally took between one and 10 days, he said, which led to water being cut off in some areas for hours at a time.
The official added that some residents had contributed to the disruption by trying to carry out maintenance work on the pipes themselves, causing damage to the network.
All the work should be completed by next week, he said. He added that any residents who do not have water for more than a few hours should call the authority's help line at 06-7653777 or 06-7651999.
ykakande@thenational.ae
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 178hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 280Nm at 1,350-4,200rpm
Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh209,000
On sale: now
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Rooney's club record
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
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Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SHAITTAN
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Company%20profile
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China and the UAE agree comprehensive strategic partnership
China and the UAE forged even closer links between the two countries during the landmark state visit after finalising a ten-point agreement on a range of issues, from international affairs to the economy and trade and renewable energy.
1. Politics: The two countries agreed to support each other on issues of security and to work together on regional and international challenges. The nations also confirmed that the number of high-level state visits between China and the UAE will increase.
2. Economy: The UAE offers its full support to China's Belt and Road Initiative, which will combine a land 'economic belt" and a "maritime silk road" that will link China with the Arabian Gulf as well as Southeast, South and Central China, North Africa and, eventually, Europe.
3. Business and innovation: The two nations are committed to exploring new partnerships in sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, energy, the aviation and transport industries and have vowed to build economic co-operation through the UAE-China Business Committee.
4. Education, science and technology: The Partnership Programme between Arab countries in Science and Technology will encourage young Emirati scientists to conduct research in China, while the nations will work together on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, renewable energy and space projects.
5. Renewable energy and water: The two countries will partner to develop renewable energy schemes and work to reduce climate change. The nations have also reiterated their support for the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency.
6. Oil and gas: The UAE and China will work in partnership in the crude oil trade and the exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources.
7. Military and law enforcement and security fields: Joint training will take place between the Chinese and UAE armed forces, while the two nations will step up efforts to combat terrorism and organised crime.
8. Culture and humanitarian issues: Joint cultural projects will be developed and partnerships will be cultivated on the preservation of heritage, contemporary art and tourism.
9. Movement between countries: China and the UAE made clear their intent to encourage travel between the countries through a wide-ranging visa waiver agreement.
10. Implementing the strategic partnership: The Intergovernmental Co-operation Committee, established last year, will be used to ensure the objectives of the partnership are implemented.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Results
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