Hundreds rescued by helicopter from UAE mountain following storm

Rescue teams evacuated people stranded in Jebel Jais overnight, as heavy rains lashed northern areas of the UAE over the weekend.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab

11 April, 2019

Heavy rains left hundreds of people stranded around Jebel Jais overnight [Getty]

UAE rescue teams in Ras al-Khaimah emirate evacuated as many as 500 people from Jebel Jais after they were left stranded on the mountain by a heavy storm.

Residents and motorists caught in the storm were evacuated in groups of around 20 by helicopter, local media reported on Sunday.

Heavy rain lashed the northern part of the UAE and Oman over the weekend, stranding many motorists overnight.

Local authorities providing assistance to those trapped by the severe weather say that homes have been dammaged by the heavy rains.

Ras al-Khaimah police have urged residents to stay away from the Jebel Jais area and have warned drivers against travelling to moutainous areas and roads close to the sea.

Torrential downpours also hit neighbouring Oman leading to flooding, with authorities in the sultanate warning on Sunday that occasional thundershowers could be expected.

The country's Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) also warned of a chance of "dust and rising winds over desert and open areas."