Taxi drivers and delivery riders report smooth movement, with water cleared within hours—a stark contrast to previous years when roads remained submerged for days.
SHARJAH – For many residents and workers in Sharjah, the recent heavy rains brought a welcome surprise: the absence of the severe flooding that has long been a hallmark of such weather in the emirate.
In stark contrast to previous years—when roads would remain waterlogged for days, grinding traffic to a halt—this time, authorities executed a rapid response that saw water cleared within hours and normalcy restored swiftly.
Longtime residents and those who work on the front lines of the city’s roads have credited the proactive measures with preventing the usual chaos.
Afsar Ghulam, a taxi driver with 15 years of experience navigating Sharjah’s streets, said the difference was immediately apparent.
“This time, I saw water-extracting trucks already stationed in low-lying areas and places with poor drainage,” he told local media. “As soon as it started raining, they began removing the water. When one truck got full, another one came immediately. It looked properly planned.”
He noted that unlike during previous downpours, traffic continued to flow. “Earlier, even a short rain would block roads for hours or even days. This time, it was much better.”
Delivery riders, who typically bear the brunt of adverse weather conditions, also reported minimal disruption to their work.
“This time, we didn’t face much trouble delivering orders,” said one rider. “We could reach our destinations easily. Orders were not getting cancelled like before.”
He recalled how quickly conditions improved in affected areas. “There were a few roads that were flooded at one point. But when I went back to the same area after about two hours, the water was gone. There was no panic; everything was normal.”
Residents in areas historically vulnerable to flooding, such as Al Qasimiya and Al Mahatta, said they had braced for the worst based on past experiences—only to be pleasantly surprised.
“Earlier, we would get worried as soon as it started raining,” said Tahoor Siddique, a resident of Al Qasimiya. “This time, we were ready to move to another place if things got bad. But that didn’t happen.”
Samad Kutti, a resident of Al Mahatta, praised the authorities’ preparedness. “They didn’t allow water to accumulate. You could see that they were ready and acting quickly. Within a short time, roads were clear.”
For many across the emirate, the most significant shift was not merely the speed of the response, but the renewed sense of confidence it instilled.
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