Latest news with #Fujairah
Khaleej Times
15 hours ago
- Climate
- Khaleej Times
Heaviest rainfall in 27 years: How Fujairah battled floods on this day, 3 years ago
Today, three years ago, Fujairah saw unprecedented flooding as residents waded through thigh-deep waters after the emirate experienced the heaviest rainfall in 27 years. The leaders of the nation came together to battle the unforeseen circumstances, ordering the military to army to support rescue efforts. Around 900 people were rescued after flash floods hit the Northern Emirates, while over 3,897 individuals were placed in temporary shelters in Fujairah and Sharjah. Following two days of incessant rains, Fujairah's port station recorded 255.2mm of water, the highest in the UAE during July. While the second highest was recorded in Masafi which was 209.7mm and the third highest was noted in Fujairah Airport with 187.9mm of rain. It wreaked havoc on infrastructure, leaving residents stranded, as they headed to hotels — many of which had hiked their prices amid a rise in demand. In the days that followed, cars could be seen overturned after being swept away by the floods. In the video below, recovery companies can be seen attempting to clear vehicles that had been washed away. The UAE's Ministry of Interior had said that seven people of Asian descent were confirmed dead in the wake of the floods. In a statement, Brigadier General Dr Ali Salem Al Tunaiji, director-general of the Ministry of Interior Federal Central Operations, said, 'We regret to inform you that six people of Asian nationalities have been found dead due to the floods in the Emirates.' 'The Ministry of Interior offers its condolences to the families of the victims,' he added.
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Meet teen gifted land by Fujairah Ruler 4 years ago, now known as 'the little farmer'
From rare Emirati date varieties to bold experiments with tropical fruits, the 9th edition of the Al Dhaid Date Festival put a spotlight on the UAE's growing spirit of agricultural innovation — one rooted in tradition but reaching toward the future. At the heart of this transformation is 17-year-old Sultan Ali Al-Khuzaymi, affectionately known as 'The Little Farmer'. At just 13, he received a plot of land as a gift from Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, the Ruler of Fujairah. Since then, Sultan has cultivated a vibrant blend of traditional crops and experimental varieties, including lemons, figs, dates, and a unique palm tree of his own design. "One variety is gaining special attention for its unique qualities locally known as 'Bahri'. The term doesn't refer to a specific type of date, but rather to a feature: dates with a noticeably large seed inside. In simple terms, Bahri means 'with a seed'," explained Sultan. Now a recent high school graduate, Sultan plans to study agricultural engineering at UAE University. 'This is just the beginning,' he said, expressing his ambition to fuse Emirati heritage with modern techniques and imported varieties. Making every land count But Sultan isn't the only farmer making waves at this year's festival. Also capturing attention is Muhammad Al-Saadi, a seasoned farmer from the mountainous village of Nahwa. Over the years, he has quietly transformed turned his small, scattered plots into a hub of crop experimentation. Al-Saadi's farm, known locally for cultivating rare date varieties like Alwan and Khashkar, alongside Egyptian Zaghloul palms, has become a testing ground for crops seldom in the region, including moringa, Pakistani mangoes, figs, and the fast-growing papaya, also known as 'fefay'. Despite the limited space, Al-Saadi makes every metre count. By propagating a single offshoot into dozens, he not only boosts his farm's output but shares them with other farmers, helping diversify and strengthen the region's agricultural landscape. For Al-Saadi, farming is as much about community as it is abut cultivation. Collaborating with farmers across the region, Al Saadi regularly trades offshoots and seeds, testing imported crops for adaptability and quality. His standout success? Moringa — a fast-growing, resilient, multi-purpose tree that, as he says, 'comes right back' after cutting, making it perfect for small-scale farms. 'Not about dates anymore' The Al Dhaid festival, organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), was scheduled for its official inauguration on July 24 and will continue until July 27. New competition categories were introduced, including regional exclusives for Al Dhaid and the central region, which expands the event's reach, according to Director-General Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi. Farmers will compete across several categories, including popular date types like Khneizi, Khalas, and Shishi, along with two elite classes: the 'General Al Dhaid Elite Dates' and the 'Special Al Dhaid Elite Dates', reserved specifically for farmers from the Northern Emirates. 'It's not just about dates anymore,' said Al Awadi. 'We've added lemons, figs, and other fruits to promote broader agricultural development and food security.' Educational workshops held by the Chamber's Youth Council, the Sharjah Youth Council, and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment are also helping farmers improve production and share sustainable practices. With more than 40 varieties of local dates and fruits on display, the Al Dhaid Date Festival has become more than just an agricultural showcase. It is now a testament to the UAE's next generation of farmers: young, resilient, and rooted in both tradition and change.
Zawya
22-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UAE's Fujairah first-half 2025 bunker sales drop 5% from 2024
SINGAPORE - Sales of bunker fuel softened at the United Arab Emirates' Fujairah port in the first half of 2025, falling 5% from the same period in 2024, data from the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ) showed. The emirate of Fujairah, located on the east coast of the UAE near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, is a major bunkering port in the region and a key refuelling point for tankers taking crude on long voyages out of the Gulf. Bunker volumes from January-June this year totalled 3.7 million cubic metres (about 3.6 million metric tons), compared with 3.9 million cubic metres in the same period last year, based on FOIZ data published by S&P Global Commodity Insights. Sales in June declined to a four-month low of 563,000 cubic metres, down 8% from May. Ships were operating more cautiously in the Gulf last month after tensions between Iran and Israel flared, before a ceasefire was reached. Some traders had expected bunker volumes to taper off slightly. While most ships continued to transit the Strait of Hormuz last month, they tried to minimise time spent in the region due to safety concerns. However, prior to the recent round of geopolitical tensions, refuelling demand was already tepid for most of this year, some Dubai-based trading sources noted. Bunker price differentials to benchmark quotes stayed weak for both low-sulphur and high-sulphur bunker grades this year, sources said. Volumes for both grades also dropped year-on-year in the first half, calculations based on FOIZ data showed. Fujairah bunker sales by month, in cubic metres: 2025 Total bunker sales (minus lubricants) M-o-M Y-o-Y 180cst LSFO 380cst LSFO MGO LSMGO 380cst HSFO Lubricants Jan 628,663 3.7% -6.8% 2,141 403,717 79 37,635 185,091 4,351 Feb 554,117 -11.9% -12.5% 702 382,303 341 28,176 142,595 4,183 Mar 639,811 15.5% -8.7% 1,195 432,560 128 37,788 168,140 4,991 Apr 669,378 4.6% 4.8% 885 443,509 307 35,289 189,388 5,296 May 614,296 -8.2% -0.2% 9,972 407,208 662 31,572 164,882 4,454 Jun * 563,007 -8.3% -7.8% 7,356 361,332 271 33,942 160,106 4,054 Data source: Fujairah Oil Industry Zone data published by S&P Global Commodity Insights (1 cubic metre = 6.29 barrels) (1 metric ton = 6.35 barrels for fuel oil) (Reporting by Jeslyn Lerh; Editing by Jamie Freed)
Zawya
20-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah, attends the closing ceremony of Fujairah's Young Techpreneurs
FUJAIRAH, UAE: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, attended the closing ceremony of the third and final phase of Fujairah's Young Techpreneurs. He emphasised the importance of empowering youth and young generations with technological tools and digital knowledge, viewing them as essential to realising Fujairah's future vision and promoting comprehensive and sustainable development. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed also attended the graduation ceremony of the students who participated in the final phase of the initiative, which was launched in April 2025. Fujairah Young Techpreneurs is an initiative organised and overseen by the Office of the Crown Prince of Fujairah, in collaboration with Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) H.E. Eng. Mohammed Hamza Al Qasim, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, was also present at the ceremony. Furthermore, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed also underlined the significant attention Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah, places on investing in people and empowering future generations, including both youth and children across various fields. He also emphasised the importance of preparing technically and intellectually qualified national talents capable of actively contributing to Fujairah's development journey and building the nation's future while advancing the pillars of its growth. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed praised the efforts of the students who participated in the Fujairah Young Techpreneurs initiative. He also commended their excellence, strong commitment to learning, engagement, and dedication to applying technical skills through practical projects, a significant step supporting Fujairah's digital transformation journey and meeting its knowledge-based requirements. An exhibition featuring several technology projects developed by students across five main topics: health, tourism, education, community, and the economic sector, was also organised alongside the closing ceremony. Participants demonstrated their skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, programming and entrepreneurship. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed also toured the exhibition held alongside the ceremony, where students presented the results of the initiative and their interactive applications. During the closing ceremony, H.E. Dr. Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, Director of the Office of the Crown Prince of Fujairah, emphasised that the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, focuses on empowering youth and equipping young generations with the knowledge tools that contribute to creating positive change across all vital sectors of society. He also underlined the success of the initiative in preparing a promising generation capable of leading the future in line with its evolving demands and dynamics. For his part, H.E. Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU), said: "Fujairah's Young Techpreneurs is a direct translation of the visionary guidance of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, aimed at empowering young minds and enhancing their digital competencies. It equips them with critical skills in artificial intelligence, programming, and cybersecurity. We are proud to actively contribute to the goals of this pioneering initiative through our strong collaboration with the Office of the Crown Prince of Fujairah, reflecting our shared strategic vision to empower the next generation through innovation and meaningful collaboration." He further said, "At HBMSU, we are committed to advancing a smart learning model built on creativity, critical thinking, and innovation, one that prepares learners for success in a rapidly evolving digital world. We remain keen to support bold educational initiatives that align learning outcomes with the needs of future industries and contribute to the broader development vision of the Emirate of Fujairah and the United Arab Emirates.' Fujairah's Young Techpreneurs was launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, as part of Fujairah's strategy to foster smart education, invest in young national talents and build a generation equipped with advanced technological skills to contribute actively to the future economy. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Dr. Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, Director of the Office of the Crown Prince of Fujairah; H.E Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, (HBMSU); Amna Al Saleh, Acting Assistant Undersecretary of the Curriculum and Assessment Sector at the Ministry of Education; H.E. Tariq Al Hashmi, Assistant Undersecretary for the School Operations Sector; Dr. Fahad Al Saadi, Vice Chancellor for Learners Development at Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University; along with several officials and families of the students participating in the initiative.
The National
20-07-2025
- Climate
- The National
UAE weather: Hot and dusty week ahead, with chance of rain and fog
Hot and dusty weather is expected in the UAE this week, with a chance of rain over parts of the country. Rain could fall on Fujairah, Al Ain and some southern parts on Monday afternoon. Similar conditions may continue throughout Tuesday, especially in mountainous and desert areas, the National Centre of Meteorology said. Humidity levels will rise at night and in the early mornings, particularly in the western region of Abu Dhabi, throughout this week. This could lead to fog or mist, making conditions hazy for early morning drivers. Daytime temperatures will remain high, with the hottest areas being inland cities such as Al Ain, where it could reach 47°C on Thursday. Coastal areas, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, will feature temperatures between 40°C and 46°C this week. Mountainous regions will be slightly cooler, with highs in the upper 30s. Nights will offer little relief from the heat, with temperatures in the low 30s across the country.
