Dubai Municipality Strengthens Crisis Response, Managing 12.195 Million Cubic Metres of Rainwater Efficiently
Dubai Municipality has effectively managed the impacts of the “Azm” low-pressure weather system, employing a proactive and integrated operational framework that ensured community safety, service continuity, and rapid recovery throughout the Emirate. This response highlights Dubai’s advanced capabilities in crisis and emergency management, reinforcing its status as one of the world’s most prepared and resilient cities in the face of climate-related challenges.
Comprehensive Operational Framework
To address the challenges posed by the weather system, Dubai Municipality activated a unified operational system supported by approximately 3,500 personnel. This team included supervisors, engineers, field workers, and specialized rescue teams. The operations were bolstered by a logistics fleet comprising over 1,210 machines and vehicles, such as tankers, fixed and mobile pumps, heavy vehicles, field support units, and cranes. This extensive resource allocation ensured a rapid and coordinated response across the affected areas.
During this period, the Municipality managed 15,150 calls and 8,466 interactions through the smart “Faris” system. They resolved 4,325 reports across 249 areas, addressing issues such as water accumulations, fallen trees, drainage blockages, and road cleaning. These figures reflect the efficiency and responsiveness of the Municipality’s operational systems.
Effective Rainwater Management
Dubai’s stormwater drainage infrastructure exhibited robust performance, successfully managing a total of 12.195 million cubic metres of rainwater. Of this volume, 7.362 million cubic metres were handled by pumping stations, 4.833 million cubic metres were processed through deep drainage tunnels, and 631,000 cubic metres were transported via mobile tankers across 22,250 trips.
The drainage network consists of more than 124,000 inlets connected to over 47,000 inspection chambers, along with an extensive pipeline system spanning 4.9 million linear metres. Collectively, this infrastructure enables the drainage of over 94% of rainwater, underscoring Dubai Municipality’s ongoing investment in advanced and resilient infrastructure designed to ensure safety, operational continuity, and long-term sustainability.
Phased Operational Plan
Dubai Municipality implemented a phased operational plan to manage the weather event effectively. The initial phase focused on pre-emptive readiness, which included mobilizing field teams, deploying equipment, and verifying the performance of infrastructure such as drainage networks, retention lakes, and pumping systems.
The subsequent phase involved activating emergency response protocols to ensure immediate management of water accumulations and maintain uninterrupted municipal services. This was achieved through coordination with strategic partners via a joint operations framework. A structured recovery phase followed, aimed at completing drainage operations and restoring normal conditions across the Emirate.
Eng. Adel Mohammed Al Marzouqi, CEO of the Waste and Sewerage Agency at Dubai Municipality and Head of the Stormwater Drainage Team, stated that the response to the recent weather conditions demonstrates the strength of an integrated operational model built on preparedness, coordination, and advanced infrastructure. He emphasized that the priority remains the safety, wellbeing, and quality of life of the community, supported by proactive planning and rapid response capabilities.
Commitment to Infrastructure Resilience
Dubai Municipality maintained high levels of operational readiness across public parks, beaches, and recreational facilities. Safety was prioritized through proactive inspections, temporary closures where necessary, and the deployment of approximately 1,000 personnel across key locations.
Advanced technologies supported these operations, including beach response vehicles, electric mobility units, drones, a marine rescue robot, remote sensing systems, and automated monitoring solutions. These innovations enhanced response speed and situational awareness.
Following the weather event, rapid recovery measures were implemented, allowing for the reopening of beaches within six hours and public parks within 24 hours. Recovery operations included the removal of over 159 fallen trees, the clearance of 1,130 cubic metres of water, and the disposal of 12,250 kilograms of waste, ensuring the safe restoration of public spaces.
Dubai Municipality also ensured the uninterrupted operation of wastewater and stormwater stations, managing drainage flows, clearing blockages, and removing debris to maintain road safety and traffic flow across the Emirate. These efforts underscore the Municipality’s commitment to delivering safe, resilient, and world-class urban environments, even under challenging conditions.
Source: www.emirates247.com
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Published on 2026-03-31 17:43:00 • By the Editorial Desk
