• Source:JND

A 27-year-old Indian expatriate was killed in the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah after a wall collapsed amid heavy rain that lashed several parts of the United Arab Emirates, local media reported on Friday.

The deceased has been identified as Salman Fariz, who was working as a delivery agent at a cafeteria in the Nakheel area of Ras Al Khaimah. According to his employer and a social worker quoted by Gulf News, the incident occurred around 3 am when a wall under construction gave way and fell on him during intense rainfall.

Local authorities have launched an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the collapse and to determine whether safety norms were followed at the construction site. The incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of workers, particularly expatriates living or working near unfinished structures and low-lying areas vulnerable to flooding.

Heavy Rain Disrupts Life Across UAE

The death comes amidst an unprecedented rain spell that affected the UAE, which is normally an arid region that receives limited rainfall, usually accompanied by thunderstorms, but only for a brief moment. Many residential areas in Dubai, including Karama and Al Barsha, witnessed flooding due to continuous rains that left vehicles stranded.

A similar scenario was recorded in Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah, where traffic was noticeably delayed, and emergency services had to be activated due to the flooding caused by the rain. Such conditions were evidenced by the videos on social media platforms that showed streets and vehicles submerged.

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Flights Cancelled, Remote Work Advised

Air transportation has also been affected by the cancellation or rescheduling of flights by Emirates and flydubai because of adverse weather conditions. Dubai Airports reported that operations have normalised with the possibility of delays.

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Due to the current developments, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) ordered the private sector companies operating in the affected areas to work remotely. Events have been cancelled in Abu Dhabi, while adventure sports events held at Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah, were postponed as a precautionary measure. According to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM), there will be a continuation of the rains accompanied by thunderstorms, strong winds, hail, and reduced visibility. Also, rough sea conditions have been reported.


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