Dubai Municipality has placed around 675 emergency response personnel on standby and readied nearly 1,100 pieces of specialised equipment and machinery ahead of possible weekend rainfall in parts of the UAE.

The authority said it had activated special operational and technical plans to manage rainwater accumulation, respond to emergencies and ensure the continuity of public services during unstable weather.

The measures come as the UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology forecasts possible rainfall across northern and eastern parts of the country on Saturday and Sunday, October 24 and 25.

Personnel and equipment prepared for rainfall response

Dubai Municipality said its emergency response teams comprise around 675 engineers, supervisors, administrative staff, drivers and operational personnel who will remain on standby around the clock.

The teams will be supported by around 1,100 pieces of specialised equipment and machinery. Arrangements have also been made with private-sector companies to provide additional support for water pumping and removal operations if required.

As part of the preparations, 10 temporary rainwater collection basins have been readied at strategic locations across Dubai to collect surface water during heavy rainfall and ease pressure on drainage networks.

Dubai Municipality has also cleared more than 70,000 stormwater drainage inlets across the city as a preventive measure to improve water flow and reduce the risk of flooding.

UAE weather forecast for the next four days

According to the National Centre of Meteorology’s four-day forecast, weather conditions across the UAE will be as follows:

Friday, October 23: Skies will be clear to partly cloudy, with a chance of convective clouds forming over eastern areas during the afternoon. Rising humidity from Friday evening into Saturday morning could lead to fog or mist in some coastal and inland areas. Wind speeds may reach 35 kilometres per hour.

Saturday, October 24: Clear to partly cloudy conditions are forecast, with a chance of rain-bearing convective clouds forming over eastern and northern areas. Temperatures will gradually fall, while wind speeds may reach 35 kilometres per hour.

Sunday, October 25: Skies will be clear to partly cloudy, with a chance of convective cloud formation and rainfall in northern and eastern areas. Higher humidity overnight could also lead to fog or mist in some coastal and inland areas.

Monday, October 26: Clear to partly cloudy conditions are forecast, with a chance of convective clouds forming over northern and eastern areas during the afternoon. Fog or mist may also develop in some areas from Monday evening into Tuesday morning.

However, the National Centre of Meteorology has not specified expected rainfall totals or issued a special warning for heavy rain in Dubai.

Dubai Municipality highlights infrastructure readiness

Adel Mohammed Al Marzouqi, chief executive officer of the Waste and Sewerage Agency at Dubai Municipality, chairman of the municipality’s Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Team, and head of the emirate’s rainwater drainage management team, said Dubai Municipality had established an integrated and proactive system to address adverse weather conditions.

He said the system uses specialised teams, advanced equipment and flexible operational plans to enhance Dubai’s readiness for the rainy season.

“Our priority is to ensure that infrastructure and emergency resources are ready to respond effectively to changing weather conditions, manage rainwater accumulation and address reports according to their urgency and the needs of each area,” Al Marzouqi said.

He added that these preparations are supported by continuous monitoring, preventive infrastructure maintenance and close coordination with strategic partners.

According to Al Marzouqi, the measures are intended to protect lives and property, maintain the continuity of public services and minimise disruption to the daily lives of Dubai residents.

Dubai Municipality also said it had reviewed areas affected by flooding during previous periods of unstable weather and used the findings to improve operational plans and the deployment of personnel and equipment.

The municipality’s Command and Control Centre will monitor weather developments and emergency reports around the clock, while coordinating with Dubai Police, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Civil Defence and the Dubai Resilience Centre.

Safety advice for Dubai residents during rainfall

Dubai Municipality has urged residents and visitors to follow official weather alerts and comply with public safety guidance during adverse weather conditions.

Building owners and residents have also been advised to ensure that rainwater drainage channels in homes and residential complexes are clean and functioning properly.

The municipality particularly stressed the need to inspect internal drainage systems in buildings with basements, including non-return valves designed to prevent water from flowing back into the building.

Residents can report flooding and related emergencies through the Dubai Municipality call centre on 800900 or via the authority’s official WhatsApp service.

Dubai Municipality has also stepped up preventive measures to stop mosquitoes from breeding in stagnant water through monitoring programmes and specialised control equipment.

The authority said emergency response plans would be adjusted and updated according to actual weather conditions and reports received from affected areas.