Residents of the Shamal area of Ras al-Khaimah expressed concern that abandoned underground wells were spreading meters away from their homes, reaching a depth of more than 30 meters.
They told the Emirates today that the microscopic wells surround their homes and become dangerous to their children, because they are exposed, and it is easy for children and animals to fall loose, and they are considered snake breeders, pointing out that they prevented their children from playing outside their homes, . For its part, the General Services Department in Ras Al Khaimah has developed a plan to protect the population from the danger of the microscopic wells. The Crisis and Emergency Team has begun to survey the abandoned wells and put concrete barriers around them, especially near the houses.
Ahmed Obeid al-Shamli said that the microscopic wells pose a danger to the residents of Shamal. A month ago, one of his three-year-old children was absent from the house and everyone thought he had fallen into a deserted well near the house.
He explained that the search for his child lasted more than three hours, where all wells were searched by police and parents, until he was found sleeping in the wardrobe at home.
He pointed out that during the night, the wells become more dangerous, because the area lacks lighting, and is considered abandoned farms, and easy to fall inside any person.
According to Abdullah al-Shmeili, abandoned wells are the biggest threat to the safety of the people of the Shamal area because they are exposed and anyone is at risk of falling inside. However, despite the fact that some of the wells are surrounded by concrete barriers, many of them still pose a threat to the safety of the residents. .
He demanded that the abandoned wells be completely dismantled, because the concrete barriers are a temporary solution, and the danger remains, because they are still exposed, and it is possible to fall inside any small child playing, if it crosses the concrete barriers.
He added that a large number of livestock and bulk animals fell into the abandoned wells, which led to the spread of foul odors in the region, pointing out that a comprehensive survey of all abandoned wells, and the establishment of barriers or doors on them, for the safety of the people.
Salem al-Shumaili said that placing concrete barriers around the underground wells reduces the risk and does not eliminate them, especially since children prefer to play outside the houses, and one of them is likely to fall into a well during play.
He added that the concerned parties should communicate with the owners of the abandoned farms and owners of private land, to help and detect the whereabouts of abandoned wells, in preparation for the demolition and take the necessary measures to protect the population.
He pointed out that the owners of abandoned farms can identify the abandoned wells, which are spread on farms and in residential areas, stressing that their cooperation with the designated authorities speed up the process of filling or put concrete barriers around.
The Director General of the General Services Department in Ras Al Khaimah, Eng. Ahmed Al Hammadi, said that the Department has formed a team, in coordination with the Municipality of Ras Al Khaimah, to carry out a comprehensive survey of the Shamal region to monitor the microscopic wells in the coming days.
He pointed out that the Municipality of Ras Al Khaimah has mechanisms to reduce the risks of microscopic wells, especially as these wells are located within the property of citizens in the area of Shamal, and can not be entered as Private property.
He added that the department started monitoring the abandoned groundwater wells in the area of Daya, where the abandoned wells will be drained through layers and stages, according to the mechanisms of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, so that the wells do not run down during the landfill and cause damage. B »three meters away from the diameter of the microscopic wells.
Hot line
The General Services Department in Ras Al Khaimah called on the residents to report any abandoned well, via 8008118, and not to fill it with their own equipment or to bring in contractors who did not know the danger of handling the microscopic wells.
Five children drowned in wells
Al-Emarat Al-Youm has reported the deaths of five children who drowned in groundwater wells and sewage wells inside their homes in the past six years in Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman. A seven-year-old Yemeni girl drowned in 2013 after falling In a deep hole used by the people to irrigate palm trees and farms, watering animals in the Wadi Shaam area of Ras Al Khaimah. In 2016, three children, four to five years old, died when they fell in a well in a house in Al-Nayefah area in Al Ain. Emirate of Ajman A five-year-old girl, drowned, died after being stabbed Was buried in a well in the yard of her parents' home last year.
Deserted wells with a depth of more than 30 meters and steps away from the houses of citizens.