[Editor’s Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog for the latest updates as the UAE deals with heavy rains and unstable weather conditions.]
As part of its ongoing field efforts to address the impact of the recent low-pressure system and ensure the highest levels of emergency response, Sharjah Municipality has launched a large-scale campaign to disinfect and treat stagnant rainwater.
The initiative aims to limit the spread of public health pests, particularly mosquitoes, by addressing stagnant water and pooled rainwater that form after rainfall. This effort reflects the municipality’s commitment to providing high-quality services to residents while enhancing health and environmental standards.
The municipality has deployed specialised teams of engineers, technicians, and workers, along with a range of equipment and machinery, to monitor and track areas of water accumulation. Immediate measures are being taken to disinfect and sanitise these areas using safe substances that do not pose a risk to human health.
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These efforts are part of ongoing field operations carried out under proactive plans and comprehensive preparedness strategies to handle weather fluctuations, all while adhering to the highest safety standards.
In light of the rainfall, public health authorities have emphasised the importance of preventive measures to reduce mosquito breeding and protect community health. The Abu Dhabi Public Health Center has urged residents to remove any containers where water can collect, cover water tanks securely, ensure drains and air-conditioning outlets are clear, and avoid leaving items outdoors uncovered.
Residents are also advised to empty any standing water within 24 to 48 hours, clean and disinfect affected areas, check plants and outdoor surfaces for trapped water, and dispose off waste that may collect water. Reporting large stagnant water bodies to the relevant authorities is also encouraged.
These efforts come amid unstable weather conditions affecting the UAE, with heavy rainfall reported across several emirates, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and other areas.
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) had predicted partly cloudy to cloudy skies on March 25, with convective clouds forming and bringing rainfall of varying intensity across scattered areas.
With these combined efforts from authorities and the public, the UAE continues to strengthen its preparedness and response to weather fluctuations while safeguarding public health and the environment.
Source: Khaleej Times