Residents of, and commuters to and from the Jebel Ali Gardens and Discovery Gardens area will be glad to wake up this morning to news that the main exit to Sheikh Zayed Road is now open.
The exit had been closed since Thursday night after a major water pipe burst in the Gardens community.
Motorists taking the Discovery Gardens exit from Sheikh Zayed will, however, not be able to take a right towards Ibn Battuta Mall as the road is closed for repairs.
A few cars are still parked on the main road, next to the exit from Discovery Gardens to Jumeirah Lakes Towers with car owners having placed visiting cards on their respective dashboards.
Gardens residents will heave a sigh of relief as motorists were taking the Jebel Ali Village exit through the Gardens.
“We could see from our windows a beeline of cars. Mostly, the roads are empty in the evening, but for the past two days there was traffic,” said Sumati Sinha, a resident of Gardens.
The Gardens is still I need of a major clean-up with sand and mud on the roads.
“It’s dirty, but I saw people cleaning the streets yesterday. I think it will take some more days to clean the mess,” Rohit Desai, a resident, said.
According to residents, water has been restored to the Gardens buildings.
Public services restored
While an official statement is still being awaited from the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai, a call to its helpline confirmed that the public services are back to normal in the Jebel Ali Gardens and Discovery Gardens neighbourhoods.
A customer representative said that while some bus routes had been delayed yesterday, all bus services are back to normal and on time from Sunday.
Meanwhile, services and road access to the Ibn Battuta metro station has also been restored, with the rep confirming that feeder buses have also been reinstated.
The road directly in front of the metro station had been cordoned off by authorities, which led to the district cooling station where a fire occurred early Friday morning due to a short circuit in the transformer cable.
Insurance, compensation…
Car owners, who saw their vehicles being submerged in water, are now seeking answers on how to claim insurance.
R Harris tweeted: "What is the compensation for car damages?
“I am clueless as to how will I be compensated for my loss. I will be calling my car insurance company to check the procedure. It would have been good had the authorities clarified the procedure for insurance claim,” another resident asked.
THE STORY SO FAR, AS IT HAPPENED…
Friday, July 19, 6am
Severe flooding followed by fire in Jebel Ali Gardens
Friday, July 19, 5pm
Jebel Ali Gardens flood impact in pictures
Saturday, July 20
Many buildings still without water; access roads shut
Saturday, July 20
Residents walk in searing heat; restaurants do brisk business