KT photo: Karen Monsy
[Editor’s Note: Some updates on this blog have been sourced from the community.]
Rains have stopped in most parts of the country today, April 18 — but many residents are still grappling with the aftermath of the worst downpour the UAE has seen in 75 years.
Life is yet to return to normal: Travellers are still on the edge over the status of their flights. Commuters are constantly checking for updates on bus and Metro operations. Children are attending classes from home while many employees are working remotely.
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As the skies clear up and authorities work round the clock to speed up full recovery, residents are now trying to head out — but how safe is it? Which roads are flooded? Which ones are now clear?
With Khaleej Times’ team on the ground and help from the community, we bring you the latest updates on road conditions.
Are you out on the roads? Can you see a flooded street in your neighbourhood? Take a photo and help us keep the community updated by e-mailing webteam@khaleejtimes.com. Send the image and key details in this format: Exact time, location (road / street, emirate), road status (clear, flooded, blocked or heavy traffic). Be responsible and share only factual and accurate information.
Here’s what we have seen so far:
3pm: Abu Shagara, Sharjah, flooded
Photo: Sim Stanley
3pm: Discovery Gardens, Dubai, flooded
(Video by KT reader)
2.43pm: King Faisal Road, Sharjah, flooded
Photo: Mohammad Ahmad
2.37pm: Street 8 , Discovery Gardens (near Discovery Garden Metro Station), flooded
Photo: Preetesh Gohil
2.30pm: Behind Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, flooded
Photo: Sonal / Instagram
2.25pm- 2.35pm:
Garhoud Bridge, Dubai, free-flowing traffic
Crossing Emirates Aviation College towards Airport Rd, Dubai, free-flowing traffic
Airport Rd, Dubai, no waterlogging; all clear
Junction towards Al Nahda St, Dubai, blocked
Short stretch in front of Dubai Police General Headquarters, opposite Al Mulla Plaza, flooded
It can be navigated; however, expect some traffic as four lanes merge into one to avoid the water. The road is clear from Stadium station all the way down past Union Coop.
KT photos: Karen Monsy
2.22pm: Sharjah Ring Road (towards Al Ittihad Road), flooded
Photo: Sabah Firdose
2.10pm: Al Qassimia, Sharjah, flooded
Photo: Komal Padhiar
2pm: Al Khan to Jamal Abdul Nasser St, Sharjah, flooded
(The road in front of Al Majaz Water Park towards Al Noor Mosque seems clear.)
Photo: Dhruv Vishal Saxena
1.51pm: Dubai South (internal road towards Emirates Road, E611), flooded
(Clearing work ongoing)
Photo: Nirooban Vimalanthan
1.50pm: Discovery Gardens (Street 1), Dubai, flooded
Photo: Shanthi Vengatesh
1.50pm: Muweilah Commercial, Safari Mall road, Sharjah, flooded (no access to highway)
Photos: Radhika G
1.40pm: Underpass to Meydan and Al Khail (from Mustaqbil Street), Dubai, closed to traffic
KT photo: Mazhar Farooqui Sabir
1.35pm: Estiqlal street, Abu Shagara and Kiing Faisal road, Sharjah, flooded
Photos: Athira P Balan
1.30pm: Al Khan St, Al Taawun, Sharjah, flooded, blocked
Photo: Syeda Sidra
1.15pm: Al Wahda Street (near City Centre), Sharjah, flooded
Photos: Mustafa
12.49pm: Al Quoz Industrial Area 3 (Near Al Madina Supermarket, Al Asayel Street), flooded
Photo: Umair Hussain
12.45pm: Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR), Dubai, some areas still flooded
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) issues an update on the status of SZR:
- From Trade Centre roundabout to SZR intersection with Al Lamaktoum Airport Road (towards Abu Dhabi): Now open
- Some lanes are still flooded; work is underway clear the roads
12.41pm: Sufyan Bin Saqr St, Bu Daniq area, Sharjah, flooded
Photo: Fiza Sham
12.40pm: Al Khail Road, Dubai, partly flooded
A view of Hessa Bridge near Al Barsha police station:
Photos: Zauresh Mohammed
12.35pm: Al Butina, Sharjah, flooded
(At the fire station roundabout towards the clock tower}
Photo: Finto Antony
12.32pm: Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
This area is flooded:
KT reader
Heavy traffic is seen in some parts:
KT reader
12.17pm: Al Ittihad Road, Sharjah, flooded
(These are abandoned cars.)
KT photo: Shihab
12.15pm: Rolla, Sharjah, clear
KT photos: Edwin Dmello
12pm: Al Zahra Street, Maysaloon Sharjah, flooded
Photo: Muhammad Waqas Khan
12pm: King Abdul Aziz Street, Sharjah, flooded
KT photo: M. Sajjad
11.51am: Estiqlal and AbuShagara Streets, Sharjah, flooded and blocked
(Roads leading to Al Wadha are also flooded.)
KT photo: Muhammad Sajjad
11.43am: Adnoc fuel station, Al Khan in Sharjah towards Dubai, closed
KT photo: Shihab
11.30am: Al Nahda 2, Dubai, flooded but passable
(Video: Jassim Tisekar)
11.25am: Near Safeer Mall, Sharjah, flooded
(KT video / Shihab)
11am: Al Waha Street, Dubai, open, smooth traffic flow
10.46am: 11 Street, Al Barsha 1, Dubai
(A view from Sand Dunes Apartments)
Photo: Leinier
10.45am: Al Ittihad Road towards Sharjah, closed
KT Photo: Shihab
10.30am: Greens and Views, Dubai, flooded
(Video by Anna Kravchenko)
9.45am: Jebel Ali Free Zone (south), Dubai, flooded
Photo: Candice Dsouza
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