Dubai: Dubai Municipality and Dubai South have launched a Dh150 million project to upgrade rainwater drainage with a new tunnel linked to Dubai’s main system, boosting capacity by 700% under the wider Tasreef initiative, following record rainfall and flooding concerns.
Dubai Municipality and Dubai South have finalised a pivotal partnership agreement valued at 150 million dirhams to enhance the rainwater drainage system in the Dubai South residential area. This strategic initiative aims to establish comprehensive rainwater drainage networks that will be interconnected with the main drainage system managed by Dubai Municipality. By doing so, it seeks to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the infrastructure, thereby accommodating the fast-growing population and urban development in the emirate.
Key elements of the agreement involve the construction of a secondary tunnel specifically for rainwater drainage, which will be linked to the extensive deep tunnel along Expo 2020 Dubai Street. This infrastructure upgrade is designed to facilitate innovative and sustainable management of both rainwater and surface water flows. Such measures are critical in mitigating flooding risks to roads, buildings, and private properties, ultimately enhancing living conditions and service quality within Dubai South.
Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, highlighted that developing the infrastructure of Dubai, particularly the rainwater drainage system, remains a top strategic priority. The project reflects a commitment to integrating advanced water management solutions across the emirate, which is crucial as Dubai anticipates increased rainfall due to climate change. Bin Ghalita elaborated that the new drainage system is part of a broader vision to cater to the emirate’s infrastructure needs over the next century.
This initiative aligns with Dubai’s overarching strategic plan to provide world-class, flexible, and sustainable infrastructure capable of withstanding future climate challenges. Khalifa Al Zafeen, CEO of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South, added that the project addresses the ongoing growth in the area, ensuring that infrastructure keeps pace with development.
The partnership comes in the context of a larger infrastructural push, particularly following unprecedented rainfall in April that caused considerable disruptions across the region. These extreme weather events underscored the importance of reinforcing Dubai’s drainage capacity, which had previously been inadequate in managing such heavy rainfall. The event, characterised by the most severe rainfall in 75 years, prompted swift action to bolster the city’s resilience against climate-related events.
In parallel, Dubai Municipality has recently awarded contracts worth AED1.439 billion for four major projects under the ‘Tasreef’ initiative, which seeks to develop and modernise the stormwater drainage network across the emirate. These projects will significantly enhance the effective management of rainfall and flood risks while benefiting many key areas, including those surrounding Dubai International Airport and prominent residential districts.
The ambitious ‘Tasreef’ project aims to boost the drainage system’s capacity by 700%, enabling it to manage over 20 million cubic metres of water daily. This transformative initiative reflects a commitment to ensuring operational efficiency and service excellence within Dubai’s infrastructure framework. With construction set to commence imminently, the project is expected to be completed by 2033, marking a significant step in adapting Dubai’s urban landscape to meet future environmental challenges.
As Dubai continues to evolve into a global hub for commerce and tourism, such infrastructural projects not only enhance the quality of life for its residents but also solidify the emirate’s reputation as a forward-thinking city prepared for various climate scenarios.
Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.emaratalyoum.com/local-section/other/2025-05-23-1.1946875 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.emaratalyoum.com/local-section/other/2025-05-23-1.1946875 – Dubai Municipality and Dubai South have signed a partnership agreement valued at 150 million dirhams to develop the rainwater drainage system in the residential city within Dubai South. The project aims to build rainwater drainage networks and connect them to Dubai Municipality’s main drainage system, enhancing infrastructure efficiency and sustainability to accommodate the emirate’s population and urban growth. Dubai Municipality will construct a secondary tunnel for rainwater drainage, linking it to the deep tunnel along Expo 2020 Dubai Street, supporting innovative and sustainable solutions to manage rainwater and surface water flows, reducing flooding risks to roads, buildings, and properties, thereby improving residents’ quality of life and service standards within Dubai South. This initiative aligns with Dubai’s strategic vision to provide innovative and world-class infrastructure characterized by flexibility, sustainability, and resilience to future climate changes, reflecting a commitment to enhancing residents’ safety and security within a sustainable urban environment. Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, emphasized the project’s importance in developing the emirate’s infrastructure, particularly the rainwater drainage system, as a top strategic priority, aiming to connect all areas through an advanced network of deep tunnels as part of the Drainage Program to develop rainwater drainage networks for the next 100 years. Khalifa Al Zafeen, CEO of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South, highlighted the project’s response to the continuous growth witnessed by the region.
- https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2025/april/13-04/dubai-municipality-awards-new-stormwater-drainage-project-contracts – Dubai Municipality has awarded contracts worth AED1.439 billion for four major projects under the ‘Tasreef’ initiative to develop, rehabilitate, and expand Dubai’s stormwater drainage network. These projects aim to mitigate flooding risks, enhance the efficiency of existing networks, and improve overall service levels. The works will serve key areas across the emirate, including Nad Al Hamar, the vicinity of Dubai International Airport, Al Garhoud, Al Rashidiya, Al Quoz, Zabeel, Al Wasl, Jumeirah, and Al Badaa. The commissioned works are designed to provide sustainable and innovative solutions to mitigate flooding risks, enhance the efficiency of existing networks, and improve overall service levels. As part of the main objectives of the four projects expected to be completed by 2027, more than 36 kilometers of new drainage lines will be constructed, linking to the main Tasreef tunnel, which will ultimately connect drainage systems across the emirate. The network’s total drainage capacity in the target areas will increase significantly, reducing operating and maintenance costs while providing higher service standards to residents and businesses.
- https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/dubai-boost-rainwater-drainage-system-with-82-billion-project-2024-06-25/ – Dubai is investing 30 billion dirhams ($8.2 billion) to enhance its rainwater drainage system following unprecedented rainfall in April that caused significant disruption. The heavy rains, the most severe in 75 years, damaged infrastructure, led to four deaths, and disrupted operations at Dubai International Airport. This situation highlighted the city’s vulnerability to extreme weather, prompting the need for improved measures to handle climate-related challenges. The new infrastructure project, named ‘Tasreef,’ aims to increase the drainage system’s capacity by 700%, managing over 20 million cubic meters of water daily. Scheduled for completion by 2033, it will cover the entire emirate, ensuring readiness for future climate challenges and meeting the needs of the next century. This project is part of a broader initiative that began in 2019, focusing on the southern areas including Expo, Jebel Ali, and the Al Maktoum International Airport City, which is planned to become the world’s largest airport.
- https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/dubai-sheikh-mohammed-announces-dh30-billion-rain-drainage-network – An integrated project to develop a rain drainage network in Dubai has been approved at a cost of Dh30-billion, announced Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. Named ‘Tasreef,’ the project will enhance the capacity of Dubai’s rainwater drainage system by 700%, covering all areas of the emirate. The project is set to be completed by 2033 with construction to start immediately. It will serve Dubai for the next hundred years, added Sheikh Mohammed. The project, which will cover all areas of Dubai and absorb more than 20 million cubic meters of water per day, is likely to be the largest such network to collect rainwater in the region. ‘Tasreef’ is a continuation of drainage projects launched by Dubai in 2019, covering the Expo Dubai area, Al Maktoum International Airport City, and Jebel Ali. It comes around two months after unprecedented rains flooded the UAE. As a sustainable strategic project, it aims at addressing future climate change impacts, such as increased rainfall, with a network designed to seamlessly adapt to all rainfall events.
- https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/dubai-awards-new-dh1-4-billion-drainage-project-contract-to-avoid-flooding-1.500092448 – Dubai Municipality has announced the award of contracts worth Dh1.439 billion for four major projects under the ‘Tasreef’ project to develop, rehabilitate, and expand Dubai’s stormwater drainage network. The project has been awarded in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to develop strategic and future-ready infrastructure. The new contracts fall within the scope of the Tasreef project, Dubai’s largest unified stormwater collection system and the most operationally efficient in the region. The projects will serve key areas across the emirate including Nad Al Hamar, the vicinity of Dubai International Airport, Al Garhoud, Al Rashidiya, Al Quoz, Zabeel, Al Wasl, Jumeirah, and Al Badaa. The commissioned works are designed to provide sustainable and innovative solutions to mitigate flooding risks, enhance the efficiency of existing networks, and improve overall service levels. More than 36 kilometers of new drainage lines will be constructed, linking to the main Tasreef tunnel, which will ultimately connect drainage systems across the emirate. The network’s total drainage capacity in the target areas will increase significantly, which will reduce operating and maintenance costs while providing higher service standards to residents and businesses.
- https://www.dm.gov.ae/2025/04/18/aed-1-439-billion-contracts-awarded-for-four-tasreef-project-phases/ – Dubai Municipality has awarded contracts worth AED1.439 billion for four major projects under the ‘Tasreef’ project to develop, rehabilitate, and expand Dubai’s stormwater drainage network. The projects form part of Dubai’s broader commitment to building sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure and are aligned with the emirate’s ambition to consolidate its position as one of the world’s most advanced cities in terms of infrastructure readiness. The new contracts fall within the scope of the Tasreef project, Dubai’s largest unified stormwater collection system and the most operationally efficient in the region. The projects will serve key areas across the emirate including Nad Al Hamar, the vicinity of Dubai International Airport, Al Garhoud, Al Rashidiya, Al Quoz, Zabeel, Al Wasl, Jumeirah, and Al Badaa. The commissioned works are designed to provide sustainable and innovative solutions to mitigate flooding risks, enhance the efficiency of existing networks, and improve overall service levels. As part of the main objectives of the four projects expected to be completed by 2027, more than 36 kilometers of new drainage lines will be constructed, linking to the main Tasreef tunnel, which will ultimately connect drainage systems across the emirate. The network’s total drainage capacity in the target areas will increase significantly, which will reduce operating and maintenance costs while providing higher service standards to residents and businesses.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative is recent, dated 23 May 2025, and pertains to a new partnership between Dubai Municipality and Dubai South to enhance the rainwater drainage system in Dubai South. This partnership is a continuation of the broader ‘Tasreef’ project, which has been in development since June 2024. The ‘Tasreef’ project aims to develop, rehabilitate, and expand Dubai’s stormwater drainage network, with contracts worth AED1.439 billion awarded in April 2025. ([mediaoffice.ae](https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2024/june/24-06/mohammed-bin-rashid-approves-aed30-billion-tasreef-project?utm_source=openai), [mediaoffice.ae](https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2025/april/13-04/dubai-municipality-awards-new-stormwater-drainage-project-contracts?utm_source=openai)) The specific focus on Dubai South in this new partnership indicates a targeted approach to address local infrastructure needs. The report does not appear to be recycled content, as it introduces new developments and details. The inclusion of updated data and specific figures suggests a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, and Khalifa Al Zafeen, CEO of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South. A search for these quotes reveals that similar statements have been made in previous reports about the ‘Tasreef’ project, indicating that the quotes may have been reused. However, the specific context and focus on Dubai South in this report suggest that the quotes are relevant and not entirely recycled. The slight variation in wording compared to earlier reports may indicate some originality in the presentation.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from Emirates Today, a reputable news outlet in the UAE. The report is attributed to the news agency, indicating that it is based on official statements and press releases. The involvement of Dubai Municipality and Dubai South, both established and verifiable entities, adds credibility to the report. The presence of direct quotes from key officials further supports the reliability of the information presented.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims made in the report align with previous announcements about the ‘Tasreef’ project, including the AED30 billion investment and the goal to increase the drainage system’s capacity by 700%. ([mediaoffice.ae](https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2024/june/24-06/mohammed-bin-rashid-approves-aed30-billion-tasreef-project?utm_source=openai)) The focus on Dubai South addresses specific infrastructure needs in the region, making the narrative plausible and consistent with ongoing development plans. The language and tone are consistent with official communications from Dubai Municipality and Dubai South, further supporting the plausibility of the report.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative presents recent developments regarding the partnership between Dubai Municipality and Dubai South to enhance the rainwater drainage system in Dubai South. The information is consistent with previous reports on the ‘Tasreef’ project, and the involvement of reputable sources and officials supports the credibility of the report. While some quotes may have been reused, the specific context and focus on Dubai South suggest relevance and originality. Overall, the report is credible and provides valuable insights into ongoing infrastructure developments in Dubai.
