Rains in UAE: Shops flooded, but owners say timing saves businesses from major losses

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Small businesses in parts of the UAE reported water entering their shops and temporary closures after heavy rain and strong winds, but many said the timing of the rain helped them avoid big losses.

In neighbourhoods where water accumulates, tailoring shops, barber outlets, cafeterias and laundries were among those affected, with water seeping into shops and access becoming difficult due to flooded roads.

“We knew this could happen, so we prepared in advance. After what we went through in April 2024, we didn’t want to take any chance,” said Hameed Khan from Rehan Al Turki Tailoring and Embroidery in Al Rashidiya, Ajman. “Soon after Eid, on March 22, we moved items to a higher level inside the shop.”

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Some tailors blocked the entrance of the shop with barricades and sand bags. Despite the preparation, some water still entered. “We tried to block the entrance, but water still came in slowly. We had to clean everything after that,” said Wasim Ahmed from Musabbah Tailors in Rolla, Sharjah.

However, the timing of the rain came as a relief. “Thankfully, all our Eid orders were already completed,” said Ahmed. “If this had happened just a few days earlier, it would have been a big problem. Clothes would have been damaged, deliveries would have been delayed, and customers would have been affected.”

Barbers across Sharjah and Dubai said that they also avoided major losses due to early action and favourable timing.

“We removed our chairs and kept them at a higher place before the rain started,” said Saleem, who runs a barber shop near Gold Souk in Deira. “If the rain had come just before Eid, it would have been very difficult. Those are the busiest days for us, with hundreds of customers.”

He added that losses would not have been limited to equipment. “We would have had to clean the entire shop and replace items like tissues and other supplies, and even then customers may not come immediately,” he said.

Another barber, Kameel Shareef, said that the impact would have been worse if the rain had come during the Eid holidays. “If it rained during Eid, we would have lost all business for those days. Even now, customers are not coming because roads are flooded, but at least the main rush is over,” he said.

Similar concerns were shared by cafeterias and groceries, where water entered some shops.

 “When water comes inside, everything gets affected. From tables, cooking items, to even ingredients,” said Aadith Kannan, a cafeteria worker. “We have to clean everything properly before starting again. It takes time.”

Many businesses said that while flooding disrupted business for a day or two, the timing of the rain helped them avoid larger set-backs.

“If this had happened before Eid, it would have affected not just us but our customers as well,” said Hameed Khan. “This time, we were lucky.”