Late on Friday night, April 19, more than 100 families residing in a multistory tower in Muhaisnah 4, Dubai, were evacuated after structural damages were detected. According to Khaleej Times, the incident occurred around 8:30 pm, prompting resident Nawal to describe her son’s experience of feeling an “earthquake-like” jolt, leading her to initially dismiss it as imagination. However, an hour later, the gravity of the situation became apparent when Dubai Civil Defence officials instructed immediate evacuation due to the building’s noticeable tilt and cracks.
Nawal recounted her experience, stating in the same report, “One side of the building had suffered damages, causing it to crack and tilt to one side slightly.” As the night unfolded, tenants, including Nawal and her family, spent the night outside the building in their cars due to safety concerns and malfunctioning elevators.
The situation was exacerbated by recent torrential rains, which flooded the building’s basement, with stagnant water remaining even after five days. Lakshmi, another tenant, shared her ordeal of being outside the building for hours after returning from a shopping trip at Deira City Center, waiting as authorities gradually allowed families to retrieve belongings.
While efforts were made to seal off the building and ensure safety, uncertainty looms over the future for affected families. Nawal and her family have been temporarily relocated to a hotel apartment in Qusais, with assurances of reimbursement from the building owner. Lakshmi’s family, on the other hand, seeks shelter with relatives in Bur Dubai.
Both families express concerns about the building’s habitability and their future residency, especially with renewal deadlines approaching. Despite ongoing efforts by authorities and construction professionals, the timeline for resolution remains unclear, leaving families in a state of uncertainty and worry.
Nawal reflected on the situation, saying, “It did not look like the matter would be resolved quickly and easily. So right now, we are looking at alternative long-term arrangements.”
