Prepare for Rain: Avoid Power Outages

How Can Dubai Residents Prepare for Rain and Prevent Power Outages?

As winter approaches in the United Arab Emirates, weather conditions change and rainfall becomes more frequent. Although prolonged or intense rainfall is not typical in Dubai city, events in recent years – including the record rainfall on April 16, 2024 – have warned that lack of preparation can lead to serious consequences. Floods, property damage, and electrical system failures – all these can be avoided with proactive maintenance and conscious preparation.

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has issued a warning and summarized in a six-point list the steps residents should take to maintain safe and continuous electricity supply during wet weather conditions.

Why is preparation important?

Dewa emphasized that the primary goal of proper preventive measures is to protect the electrical network inside buildings. Faulty or improperly maintained systems can not only cause material damage but also lead to life-threatening situations, especially if water enters electrical equipment.

Moreover, rainfall is not always predictable. Although meteorological forecasts can help, unexpected weather phenomena can occur at any time of the year, so the best strategy is proactive preparation.

The six essential steps

According to Dewa's recommendation, the following steps should be taken in every residential property:

1. Securely closing electrical cabinets

Electrical cabinets located outdoors or in semi-open areas are especially exposed to moisture. It is crucial that all doors, covers, or opening parts close tightly to prevent water from entering the power supply system.

2. Replacing glass covers of meters

If the glass cover of the electricity meter or water meter is cracked or broken, rainwater can easily get inside, causing short circuits or meter malfunctions. Damaged covers need to be replaced immediately.

3. Checking grounding

A properly grounded system is essential to avoid electric shock. It is advisable to have a professional inspect the existing grounding, especially if the property's electrical system is old.

4. Sealing unused conduit openings on the roof

Many buildings have standoffs or conduits remaining from previous wiring. These unused openings should be sealed waterproof to prevent rainwater from flowing into the internal system through them.

5. Protecting outdoor connections

For electrical sockets located in yards, terraces, or balconies, it is especially important to use waterproof covers or casings. Connections exposed to rain can easily malfunction and in more severe cases, cause a fire.

6. Regular inspections by a professional

Preventive maintenance is the best defense. A trained electrician can inspect the entire system, check the distributors, circuit breakers, grounding, and suggest necessary repairs or replacements.

What to do in case of a power outage?

It is important to know that even the most thorough preparation does not guarantee the complete avoidance of power outages. External network issues, weather anomalies, or technical failures can result in temporary service interruptions. In such cases, Dewa encourages customers to use the Smart Response Service, which is available via the Dewa app, official website, and the Dubai Now platform.

With the help of these systems, users can perform a quick troubleshooting process themselves, such as checking if a fuse has tripped or localizing whether the fault occurred inside or outside their property. If the issue cannot be resolved independently, the system requests assistance from the relevant authority automatically.

The power of community awareness

In the past month, hundreds of Muslim worshipers participated in a special prayer for rain (Salat Al Istisqa) nationwide. This also shows how important the community considers the return of natural water sources, while also being technically prepared for extreme weather phenomena that may result from such events.

Both building owners and tenants have a responsibility to be prepared for the rainier months and to inform each other about the necessary actions. During the April 2024 rains, those properties suffered the least damage where residents took necessary actions in time.

Conclusion

The city of Dubai is equipped with advanced infrastructure, and utility providers are continuously working to ensure that the supply functions with as few interruptions as possible, even under extreme weather conditions. However, individual precaution and awareness are equally important. Implementing the six steps outlined above serves not only our safety but also the safety of the community.

Rain brings joy and refreshment to the desert city – let’s ensure it doesn’t come with unpleasant surprises.

(Source of the article: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) statement.)