Extreme rainfall, widespread flooding hit Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

Extremely heavy rainfall hit parts of United Arab Emirates over the past couple of days, causing major flash flooding in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), UAE's northernmost emirate. Parts of the emirate received 2.5 years of average annual rainfall from April 9 to 15, 2019.

The heaviest rainfall hit Al-Khaimah Valley with record high 247.4 mm (9.7 inches). The previous record of 189.8 mm (7.47 inches) was set in 2003. The rainfall filled the "Wadi al-Bays" dam built in the valley in 1982, weather authorities said.

The annual average in UAE is about 100 mm (3.93 inches).

RAK police said Monday, April 15, that the total number of people rescued in the weekend's flooding reached 702.

As many as 400 people were rescued after flood waters marooned them on the Jebel Jais, UAE's tallest mountain. Police said their helicopters picked up about 170 people from the mountain, 20 at a time.

While there were no reports of casualties, emergency service said they received over 3 000 calls for assistance during the storm. Hundreds of vehicles have been damaged, they said.

Underpasses at the new RAK Ring Road remained severely flooded on Monday, April 15 and the motorway infrastructure made it impossible for residents to find alternative routes to mountain homes, The National reports.

While some farmers welcomed the rain, others were left without precious livestock.

Featured image: Flash flooding in RAK, UAO – April 2019