ع
The Ministry of Interior urged residents to avoid approaching valleys, dams and flood channels during severe weather, according to a Gulf News report published on March 21, 2026. Gathering in such areas carries a Dh1,000 fine together with six black points on a driver’s licence. Driving into a valley while water flows remains classified as a high-risk violation that draws a Dh2,000 fine, 23 black points and 60-day vehicle impoundment.
Authorities further warned that obstructing emergency responders during storms or flooding incidents carries a Dh1,000 fine, four black points and an additional 60-day impoundment period, the same report stated. Abu Dhabi Police advised motorists to check weather forecasts before travel, reduce speed in wet conditions, avoid distractions and comply with electronic road signage. The police guidance forms part of coordinated federal and local messaging ahead of expected rain events.
A Guy Carpenter report on Gulf flooding events noted that heavy rainstorms and flash flooding struck the UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Iran in April 2024, affecting roads and properties across the region. The assessment found that the episode prompted the announcement of the Tasreef project, an infrastructure upgrade valued at $8 billion that is scheduled to begin in 2025 and increase Dubai’s drainage capacity seven-fold. The initiative reflects sustained government investment in flood mitigation following the 2024 disruptions.
Gulf Today reported on October 12, 2025, that UAE traffic law imposes penalties of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment for violations during unstable weather that cause death through vehicle use in a valley amid flash floods. The statute underscores the legal severity attached to such conduct when it results in fatalities. Officials have applied these provisions as part of broader enforcement during seasonal weather shifts.
The Ministry of Interior has issued comparable warnings in prior years as part of annual public safety campaigns tied to the rainy season. Data from regulatory bodies shows that wadi areas can experience sudden water surges even from rainfall occurring far upstream. Motorists are therefore directed to treat any visible water in valleys as an impassable hazard irrespective of apparent depth or speed.
Abu Dhabi Police and other local forces continue to monitor high-risk zones with patrols and surveillance during weather alerts, the Gulf News coverage indicated. Enforcement combines the outlined fines, points and impoundments to discourage entry into restricted flood-prone locations. The measures have been positioned as essential to protecting both individual drivers and the operational capacity of emergency services.
