Dubai (United Arab Emirates): The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) is stepping up preparations for the rainy season to avoid any negative impacts resulting from downpours thus minimizing them to the least level possible. Preparations include mobilizing all resources and logistics, enhancing the efficiency of road service, and boosting security & safety level. The coordination in all these matters is in hand with all relevant bodies, under the drive to realize RTA vision of providing safe and smooth transport for all.

RTA Emergency Team, comprising of 12 work teams, is gearing up preparations round the clock to tackle any problems that might suddenly pop on roads or impact traffic flow to address them in a timely manner, avoiding congestions resulting from heavy rainfall in the emirate and intensify safety procedures.

Engineer Nabeel Mohammed Saleh, Director of Roads Dep’t at RTA Traffic & Roads Agency said: “RTA has stepped up the readiness to cope with the rainy season this year through the adoption of a number of procedures. These include taking all necessary precautions and measures needed for draining of the rainwater accumulated on roads or at various RTA projects by maintaining ready-to-use traffic diversions, provision of water tankers fitted with the requisite pumps to suck ponds, and lift it away, as a precautionary emergency measure.

He continued: “RTA will continue coordination with the concerned bodies, including Dubai Police General HQ, Civil Defence Dep’t and Dubai Municipality. A meeting was recently held with Sewage & Rural Dep’t at Dubai Municipality to discuss and endorse designs and suggest instant solutions to sort out rainwater drainage problems at certain areas. The meeting also ensured the readiness of all pumping stations and the opening of rainwater drainage manholes serving key roads in particular.

“RTA Emergency Team, comprising of several sub-teams, has completed preparations to cope with all circumstances, identified areas affected over the last seasons, and mobilized resources to address them. Coordination is in hand with contractors to ensure their commitment to remove ponds at their workplaces, and if necessary, coordinate with heavy equipment companies. Sub teams include a team dedicated to inspect contractors and verify their compliance with traffic safety stipulations, a team concerned with sorting out problems resulting from downpours & storms, and other teams to cater for all events & incidents.

“RTA completed inspection of around 200 locations to ensure their operational readiness, including 50 spots that suffered problems resulting from to downpours over the last rainy seasons, such as the area at of Dubai-Sharjah boarders; a matter which is being coordinated with Sharjah Municipality.

“All motorists and road users are requested to exercise care and caution while driving under rainy conditions for their own safety. They are also requested to cooperate with the RTA Emergency Team and report any incidents, faults or abnormal circumstances impacting roads under the changing weather conditions. They are also requested to keep a sufficient safe distance, switch on front & rear vehicle lights while driving even during the day, and ensure safety and operational condition of brakes. The Emergency Team is working 24 hours a day and can be contacted by dialing 8009090. The Team stands ready to lend support and tackle any problem confronting road users to realize RTA vision of providing ‘safe and smooth transport for all’, concluded the Director of Roads Dep’t at RTA Traffic & Roads Agency.

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