The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has stepped up preparations ahead of the upcoming rainy season by enhancing the readiness of federal roads and related infrastructure to manage stormwater and mitigate flooding risks. These efforts include maintenance and inspection of stormwater drainage networks, pumping stations, culverts, and dam facilities to ensure safety and continuity of services during adverse weather conditions.
As part of the preparations, the ministry is maintaining 17 pumping stations and 800 stormwater drainage culverts on federal roads, in addition to clearing waterways where wadis intersect with roadways. These measures are intended to prevent water accumulation that could disrupt traffic and compromise road safety. Specialized field teams, along with necessary equipment and machinery, have been deployed to enable rapid response to any water-related incidents, helping to keep traffic moving and reduce risks for road users.
The ministry is conducting ongoing structural assessments and sediment removal from drainage systems, discharge gates, and waterways to maintain operational efficiency. It also utilizes a smart, continuously operating monitoring system for dams and wadis, equipped with cameras and sensors that track water levels and flow rates in real time. This system is connected to an early warning mechanism that alerts the ministry's control center and relevant national authorities to potential flooding threats, facilitating timely interventions to protect lives and property.
Eng Mohammed Al Mansoori, undersecretary for Infrastructure and Transport Affairs at the ministry, emphasized that protecting residents and maintaining essential services are central to the authority’s rainy-season strategy. He noted that preparations start well in advance, involving detailed assessments of road infrastructure and water management facilities, prioritizing vulnerable locations, and enhancing the capabilities of response teams to handle changing weather conditions.
The ministry is also coordinating closely with federal and local partners to review emergency protocols, share information, and strengthen field response procedures. The integrated approach combines preventive maintenance, continuous monitoring, and coordinated response efforts to minimize the impact of rainfall on traffic flow and infrastructure service delivery throughout the rainy season.