(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) After 15 hours of waiting atop Jebel Jais, following last night's flash floods, some 300 cars with over 500 people, have been airlifted in a Ras Al Khaimah Police chopper early on Sunday (April 14) morning.
Informed police sources and eye witnesses told Khaleej Times that the stranded 500, including families and children, were airlifted in batches of 20 at a time in a big size rescue chopper.
The Ras Al Khaimah Police immediately rushed for help even though the heavy showers flooded the road to and from Jebel Jais.
Saif Ul Hasan, a resident of Ras Al Khaimah, told Khaleej Times that they had been stranded on top of the highest peak in the country - over 1,900m, from 3:00pm on Saturday to 6:00am on Sunday.
Saif Ul Hasan also said that the weather was cold all through that long dark night, and it was still pouring. "Young people helped the families and kids board the three-member crew rescue chopper first."
"We are very thankful to Khaleej Times for alerting the Ras Al Khaimah Police about the 500 stranded people, who included kids and families. Almost everybody was out of food, water and stuck without mobile coverage", he said.
"The RAK police comforted us and provided food, drink, water and light for everyone," Azhar Ahmed, a RAK resident, said. "We felt secure and being taken care of."
Major General Ali Abdullah bin Alwan Al Nuaimi, General Commander of Ras Al Khaimah Police, said they contacted the stranded people and drivers on top of the mountains and down at the valleys across the emirate.
"All the foods, water, and medical supplies needed have been provided to the stranded families who were advised never to leave the place until the rescue teams reached them and moved them to safe places. All the roads leading to the valleys of the emirate were blocked after being over flooded with rainwater. The blocked roads spanned Jebel Jais, Wadi Shaam, Wadi Ghalila, and Wadi Al Beeh", he pointed out, he added.
The RAK Police have deployed over 77 traffic and security patrols on all the internal roads and highways of the emirate to attend to emergency reports and situations and the drivers have been advised to be extra cautious on the sleeper and flooded roads, reduce speed limit, and avoid bumpy areas and valleys.
All police patrols and staffers are geared up to attend to all reports," he said, urging the public to report emergency cases to tollfree (999) and (901).
Ahmed Shaaban Originally from Egypt, I have been in Dubai since December 2005. Before coming here, I worked as an English language instructor, chief En/Ar translator, proofreader, reporter in Egypt and Qatar. I have also worked as a reporter, correspondent and simultaneous translator with two satellite channels in Dubai. I have a masters degree in media, Cairo University, 2014, a bachelor degree in English language and translation, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 1996, and three post-graduate diplomas in English language and Instruction. With over 19 years of experience in translation, interpretation, EFL instruction, and reporting. I am interested in technology, aviation, politics, as well as community, parliament and defence issues. I enjoy reading, writing, exercising, and surfing the web.
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