Joint Flood Management room launched to address water accumulations

Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, and others come together to address water accumulation during heavy rainfall and efficiently manage traffic and other services.

Dubai: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has inaugurated a ‘Joint Flood Management Room’ at its Enterprise Command and Control Centre (EC3), a highly advanced control hub. The new room, developed in collaboration with key partners including Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, and others, aims to address water accumulation during heavy rainfall and efficiently manage traffic and various transport modes across the emirate.

Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the Joint Room monitors response plans, allocates resources, and coordinates on-site teams to tackle water-related issues during heavy rain. This initiative aligns with RTA’s commitment to implementing directives that position Dubai as one of the world’s smartest cities, ensuring seamless mobility, service improvement, and the safety of all road users.

In partnership with the National Centre of Meteorology, RTA seeks to enhance weather information collection, enabling proactive readiness for weather fluctuations and improving response to water accumulations during heavy rain. The collaborative approach involves a supervisory team comprising representatives from various entities to prepare a comprehensive response plan.

Several technologies have been employed to enhance response effectiveness, including a GIS Heat Map illustrating water accumulation areas and pump locations, a Video Wall Screen displaying live footage from surveillance cameras, CITADEL Communication Platform for real-time information, and a Mobile Command Vehicle (MCV) with surveillance cameras for areas not covered by fixed cameras.

The proactive preparations of Joint Flood Management for the rainy season have streamlined collaboration among partners and centralized information, resulting in a 36% improvement in response and recovery time. RTA utilizes digital channels for public communication, issuing cautionary messages based on meteorological information via social media and dynamic message signs on major roads during inclement weather.

Operating under the Enterprise Command and Control Centre, the Joint Room focuses on addressing water accumulations during heavy rain across a transportation network covering over 8,000 km of roads. The EC3, with its central control room and advanced technology integration, plays a pivotal role in managing incidents, utilizing artificial intelligence, and utilizing mobile phone data for planning and crowd control.