Residents of wadi villages across the UAE understand that rain can change everything in minutes. Calm valleys can suddenly transform into violent torrents, carrying rocks, trees, and vehicles downstream with unstoppable force.
As unstable weather brings renewed rainfall to the Emirates this week, these communities are once again on high alert. For them, rainfall is a vital blessing, but also a serious threat to life and property.
In the mountainous Wadi Ghalila area of Ras Al Khaimah, preparation begins as soon as rain clouds appear. Generations of experience have taught residents that waiting can be dangerous.
Omar Ahmed Al Shehhi, a long-time resident of the area, says rainfall is welcomed, but never taken lightly. “We immediately begin cleaning the ancient irrigation channels that lead wadi water into our farms,” he explained.
These channels, known locally as traditional falaj systems, allow water to flow from one farm to another. Each plot fills before overflowing into the next, ensuring fair distribution during precious rainfall.
Beyond physical preparation, community communication plays a critical role. Residents actively warn visitors and passersby about dangerous locations near the wadi, particularly during changing weather conditions.
“The people of the area speak to visitors and warn them if they are sitting in risky places or planning to cross a wadi,” Al Shehhi said. “Outsiders often underestimate the power of the water.”
When wadis begin to flow, daily routines are put on hold. Residents limit movement and avoid travel until conditions stabilise, prioritising safety over convenience.
“We avoid going to other areas until the situation calms down,” Al Shehhi said. “Anyone outside waits for the water to subside before attempting to return home.”
Despite this caution, unpredictable rainfall can still cause losses. Livestock, in particular, remains vulnerable when heavy rain arrives without warning.
“Some residents have lost sheep and animals because they didn’t act in time,” he said. “Sometimes the rain is heavier than expected, and they must rush to move livestock to higher ground.”
Even with local knowledge, risky behaviour continues to pose challenges. Al Shehhi noted that some residents and visitors ignore warnings, placing themselves in danger.
“Unfortunately, there are people who know the risks but still take chances,” he said. “That is when accidents happen.”
Similar concerns are shared by residents in Shawka, another mountainous area intersected by multiple wadis and roads. Musabbeh Saif, a resident of Shawka, says outside visitors remain the biggest concern.
“We understand the situation because we live here,” Saif said. “The problem is people coming from other places who don’t realise the strength of the wadi.”
According to Saif, drivers often misjudge flowing water, assuming their vehicles can cross safely. “They enter the wadi believing they can pass, but the water can carry a car away in seconds,” he warned.
Modern planning has reduced risks to residential areas, with newer homes built away from main wadi paths. However, agriculture remains exposed to the force of floodwaters.
“The wadis can affect the farms that lie in their path,” Saif explained. “Strong flows can demolish farm walls and destroy crops completely.”
He added that wadis closer to homes tend to be smaller, limiting their impact. Still, sudden rainfall can overwhelm even minor channels.
The National Centre of Meteorology has forecast continued unstable weather across the UAE this week. Rainfall is expected in various regions, with temperatures dipping to as low as 10°C in internal and mountainous areas.
Authorities have repeatedly urged the public to avoid wadis during rainfall, stay away from mountainous areas, and never attempt to cross flooded valleys.
For wadi communities, survival depends on awareness, cooperation, and respect for nature. Their message is clear: rain may nourish the land, but ignoring its power can be deadly.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members