Seven Fujairah families struggle to improve harsh living conditions

FUJAIRAH // Eight families who moved to a village in Fujairah in the summer of 2011 could not have predicted the trouble they would face that winter.

As heavy rain fell across the emirate the nearby Wadi Al Hail Dam overflowed, cutting off the only main road from Al Mtherat, in Al Hail.

“We moved to this area three years ago along with seven other families,” said Abdullah Al Kindi, 37, one of the Mtherat residents who were given plots of land by the Government to build their homes.

“It was summer and we had some difficulties with the unpaved street that connect us with the main road, but we didn’t have any idea that the only exit that we have is going to be a nightmare in the winter.

“When the weather started to change and the rain started to fall, the dam flooded and the road was gone. We were trapped in our houses and couldn’t go anywhere. Children stayed home and nobody went to work.”

The residents said that when the dam overflows each winter they are often stuck for two days before the road clears.

The most recent incident was just two weeks ago.

Mr Al Kindi said their calls for change fell on deaf ears.

“We called the responsible entity to report the problem and they gathered some rocks and sand and reshaped the old road without implementing any solutions,” he said.

But the situation with the dam was not the end of their troubles. Work from a nearby mine also poses problems.

“Another issue is with the blasting that is going on around the area,” Mr Al Kindi said.

“Our homes shook and foundations cracked because of it.

“They start the explosions at 8.30am and continue for half an hour, causing the ground to start shaking and terrifying the little ones.

“We are afraid that one day the house will collapse over our heads.”

Another resident, Khilfan Ali, 36, said that the amenities in the area left something to be desired.

“Besides the road and the blasting, which we tried so many times to find a solution for with the authorities, but without any hope, we have also the water problem,” said Mr Ali.

“The water tank that has been assigned to serve this area is very small compared to the number of houses here.

“The 1,200-gallon tank is serving our area, which consists of seven villas and the Al Hail Al Shabieah area with 35 houses.

“I pay Dh400 extra each month to a private water tanker to provide us with water four times a month.

“We face another problem with the speeding lorries that pass by the main road each day coming from the mining site.

“I have five children and I keep worrying about them when they go outside to play.

“It’s not safe at all.”

Fujairah Municipality could not be reached for comment.

rhaza@thenational.ae