Rains in UAE: Developers set up emergency support, offer free maintenance

Property developers in the UAE have activated emergency protocols to help communities deal with flooding after heavy rains this week, and are also providing free maintenance where applicable.

Engineering and maintenance teams have been deployed 24/7 to assist residents in dealing with the situation.

The UAE received some of the heaviest rainfall in its history this week, causing flooding in many areas and resulting in damage to properties and vehicles.

“During extreme weather events, we extend support to residents wherever possible. This includes coordinating cleaning efforts, providing technical guidance, and connecting residents with trusted service providers to address in-unit concerns efficiently.

“In cases where issues fall under the Defects Liability Period (DLP) or warranty, they are promptly escalated to the relevant teams for immediate review and rectification,” said Ziad Haddad, senior vice-president, Damac Properties – Loams.

The DLP is a set timeframe of around six to 12 months after the completion of a construction project, during which the contractor is responsible for fixing any defects, shrinkage, or faults. It allows owners to occupy the property while ensuring contractors remediate issues at their own cost.

Planning ahead of the rains

Developers said they kept residents informed to help them safeguard their homes and ensure personal safety during adverse weather conditions.

Winston Klint, chief operating officer of Meraki Integrated Contracting, Meraki Group, said they are taking a proactive, on-ground approach.

“Residents were notified in advance and advised to take necessary precautions, while facility management teams were deployed round the clock over the past three days to closely monitor the situation. Additional technical teams were also kept on standby to respond swiftly to any potential issues. No incidents have been reported, and all units remain under the DLP, allowing any reported concerns to be resolved promptly and ensuring residents continue to feel supported during this time,” said Klint.

Francis Alfred, managing director of Sobha Realty, said extreme weather events are a timely reminder that resilience and quality must be built into a community from the outset.

“Our facility and community management teams closely monitor official weather advisories and activate precautionary measures in advance, including overnight inspections and proactive water clearance, to help ensure internal roads remain accessible and residents experience minimal disruption to daily life. The safety, comfort, and peace of mind of our residents remain our highest priority,” he said.

Ziad Haddad added that they pre-position additional water tankers across all communities, install sandbags in vulnerable areas, and ensure that exposed electrical components are properly sealed to prevent water ingress. “Water evacuation strategies are carefully planned, with sump pumps, dewatering equipment, and temporary containment solutions deployed based on risk assessments. Low-lying or historically vulnerable areas are prioritised with higher-capacity resources.”

Buy insurance

Tizian Raab, vice-president – communications and advisor to the group CEO at Azizi Developments, said they are in close contact with residents across all communities through the community management provider, VCM.

“A dedicated hotline, email address, and our mobile application are all active, ensuring residents can quickly report any concerns or damage and receive timely support. Our teams are continuously monitoring all properties, coordinating with service partners on the ground, and prioritising responses where necessary to maintain safety and minimise disruption,” he said.

Haddad added that they also encourage residents to maintain appropriate insurance coverage for their homes and belongings, ensuring comprehensive protection of their individual assets.

“On the ground, full emergency protocols are activated, including the deployment of engineering teams, inspection of drainage systems, staging of pumps and safety equipment, and continuous monitoring through integrated CCTV systems. Our teams operate around the clock, often remaining on-site, to ensure uninterrupted coverage and rapid response,” he said.

A community management company for Damac Properties, Loams manages over 50,000 residential units and serves an estimated 300,000 residents.