Sharjah prepares comprehensive response to seasonal rainfall

The emirate's municipality has completed extensive preparations across infrastructure, personnel and equipment to manage rainfall and protect communities through the changing weather season.

As the region enters its seasonal rainfall period, Sharjah Municipality has orchestrated a methodical and comprehensive response to safeguard the emirate’s residents, infrastructure and economic vitality. The preparations, overseen by Obaid Saeed Al Tunaiji, Director General of Sharjah Municipality and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Rain Emergencies, represent a coordinated effort spanning technical resources, personnel deployment and strategic infrastructure enhancements.

The emirate has been organised into five operational sectors, each managed by a specialised team trained to respond swiftly to water accumulation and the challenges that accompany severe weather. At the heart of these preparations lies a mobilised task force comprising 1,100 engineers, supervisors, technicians and support staff, augmented by an impressive fleet of 580 tanker trucks and 180 mobile pumps positioned strategically across the emirate. Five high-capacity specialised dam pumps provide additional capacity for more challenging situations.

The municipality’s infrastructure programme has undertaken substantial enhancement. Nine new pumping stations, each capable of draining up to 1,200 cubic metres per hour, serve critical arteries including Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Street, Al Wahda Street, Jamal Abdul Nasser Street and Al Dhaid Road. The network itself has been fortified through the construction of 70 rainwater collection basins and the clearing of 40,000 drainage inlets, addressing the essential groundwork that underpins effective water management. Recent additions include enhanced drainage capacity in underpasses, a 300mm pipeline connecting Al Seyouh suburb to the main drainage network, and a 200mm pumping line installed in Al Bulaida.

Dr Eng. Khalifa bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, Director of Technical Services and Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Rain Emergencies, has overseen these technical preparations alongside the maintenance and cleaning of rainwater drainage networks and the servicing of existing pumping stations. The municipality has also strengthened its ability to manage secondary impacts of severe weather: specialised towing equipment and heavy machinery stand ready to clear stranded vehicles, fallen trees and road debris from streets and highways.

The human dimension of this preparedness extends to public communication and support. The municipality’s 24-hour call centre, accessible on 993, has enhanced its readiness to receive reports and coordinate immediate field responses during unstable weather conditions. Khalid bin Falah Al Suwaidi, Director of Customer Service and Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Rain Emergencies, has championed these customer-facing services alongside ongoing public awareness campaigns that guide residents through safety practices and appropriate responses to severe weather events.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

Sharjah’s comprehensive rainfall management strategy reflects the broader regional commitment to infrastructure resilience and public safety across the Emirates. The scale of preparation, encompassing both immediate response capabilities and preventive infrastructure, demonstrates how systematic planning protects the continuity of daily life and economic activity even during challenging weather conditions.

The emphasis on organised sectoral management and inter-agency coordination offers a model of institutional effectiveness that supports resident confidence and community wellbeing. Through investments in drainage networks, pumping capacity and responsive personnel, Sharjah ensures that seasonal rainfall becomes a manageable event rather than a disruption to the prosperity and orderliness that characterise the emirate’s progress.

Source: WAM