Dubai’s Green Community still flooded after last week’s storm

Rats, rubbish and raw sewage are just some of the horrors residents in ‘The Green Community West’ have faced this week as the post-storm clean-up operation continues.

Some said they feel forgotten, as other areas flooded during last Wednesday’s torrential rain have been prioritised ahead of them. A week on and filthy, ankle deep floodwater remains outside many homes. With more rain on the way on Wednesday, residents there is hoping to escape further problems.

“Our bins haven’t been emptied for a week as they are surrounded by water,” said a mother-of-two.

“We can’t wade through the water as it is too dangerous because drain covers are missing, so there are holes around.

“I’ve seen two or three rats run along my front garden, and there is sewerage floating around. It’s disgusting.”

Another woman, who didn’t want to be named, said: “We can’t do any clearing up as people can’t get in or out of their homes easily because there is still so much water around.

“In the West community, at least 50 other homes are in the same situation as us. It is very frustrating, we don’t know which way to turn.”

Union Properties, which is responsible for managing homes and facilities in the community, did not respond to questions from The National about why a pump house in the Green Community lake failed to cope with floodwaters.

Ground-floor properties in the Terrace Apartments were worst-hit during the heavy rain, as was the Marriott Hotel and shopping mall. Water is now clear from many main roads in the area but lakes of rainwater remain between Dubai Investments Park and Jebel Ali.

“We had no help until Friday and were camped out upstairs in our house until then as the ground floor was flooded,” said Robert, who also didn’t give his full name.

“There were quite a lot of tankers and pumps but then they suddenly stopped on Sunday and we don’t know why. We’ve been calling Union Properties to find out what is happening but we’ve heard nothing.”

Rain is expected to sweep into parts of the UAE on Wednesday, putting further strain on clean-up resources, with showers also forecast for Thursday and heavier thunderstorms expected on Friday in Abu Dhabi. Dubai is expected to be fine on Friday though, with highs of 30°C.