In response to last week’s historic rainfall that led to widespread flooding and paralyzed the United Arab Emirates, the government has announced a hefty sum of $544 million for the repair and restoration of Emirati families’ homes.
Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum made the announcement after a cabinet meeting, stating, “We learned great lessons in dealing with severe rains.” He further disclosed that the ministers approved “two billion dirhams to deal with damage to the homes of citizens.”
The announcement, made on Wednesday, comes in the wake of the unprecedented downpour that inundated the desert nation, transforming streets into rivers and causing disruptions across various sectors, including transportation and infrastructure.
Dubai airport, the world’s busiest for international passengers, was among the severely affected areas.
Sheikh Mohammed, who also serves as the ruler of Dubai, revealed that a ministerial committee has been tasked with overseeing the disbursement of compensation in collaboration with federal and local authorities.
Additionally, another committee has been formed to assess infrastructure damage and propose solutions.
The rainfall, described as the heaviest in the UAE’s history spanning 75 years, resulted in the loss of at least four lives, including three Filipino workers and one Emirati.
While official figures on the toll have not been released by UAE authorities, the impact of the storm was profound.
Despite the severity of the situation, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the UAE’s resilience, stating, “The situation was unprecedented in its severity but we are a country that learns from every experience.”
The aftermath of the storm left Dubai, known for its glitzy image, grappling with waterlogged roads and flooded homes for days.
Dubai airport experienced significant disruptions, with thousands of flights canceled or diverted.
Prominent Emirati analyst Abdulkhaleq Abdulla voiced concerns over the inadequacy in crisis management and services during the crisis, urging authorities to prevent such occurrences in the future.
