Sellers in Sharjah’s Industrial Area 6 observed increased demand for flood-control supplies ahead of rainfall.
From tarpaulin sheets and sandbags to umbrellas and water pumps, residents across the UAE rushed to stock up on flood-prevention supplies as early rain alerts prompted preparations days before the downpour.
In Sharjah’s Industrial Area 6, sellers noticed the spike in demand even before the first raindrops fell. Market trader Salim Khan said customers began arriving around March 21, shortly after Eid Al Fitr.
“A lot of people came buying used tarpaulins, sandbags, flex sheets, and cartons in bulk. Some even placed advance orders,” he said. “At the time, I didn’t understand why demand was so high. Normally, these items don’t sell like this.”
The reason became clear only a few days later. “On March 25, when it started raining, one of the customers told me they were using the materials to protect their homes and buildings from water,” Khan said. “That’s when I realised why everyone had been buying so much earlier.”
By then, Khan added, it was too late to restock. “My inventory was already gone, and even transportation was a problem because many areas in Sharjah Industrial Area were waterlogged,” he said.
Noorul Huq, a plastics trader in the same area, said the surge in demand came not only from homeowners but also from construction sites and small businesses.
“People were using tarpaulin and flex sheets to cover open areas, especially newly constructed parts of buildings,” he said. “Some were buying sandbags to place at entrances to prevent water from entering.”
Most In-Demand Items During the Rains
Sandbags, flex sheets, tarpaulin, buckets, water pumps, and mops were among the top-selling items, as residents sought quick ways to manage flooding.
“Some customers even asked how to use these materials correctly, where to place them, and how to block water,” Huq added. “It was clear that people were taking preparations seriously this time.”
Alongside hardware markets, discount centres also saw a spike in demand for rain-related items such as umbrellas, raincoats, and car covers.
Gazzali, a salesman at a discount centre in Al Nahda, Sharjah, said umbrellas and raincoats were among the fastest-selling products over the past week.
“We sold hundreds of umbrellas in just a few days,” he said. “People started buying early after seeing the weather forecast. Raincoats also sold quickly, especially among delivery riders and workers.”
He added that demand for car protection items surged as well. “Car covers and large plastic sheets were moving fast. People wanted to protect their vehicles, particularly those parked in open areas,” he said.
Residents were not only buying supplies but actively preparing based on past experience. Many used tarpaulin sheets to cover entrances, sandbags to block water flow, and plastic covers to protect furniture, equipment, and vehicles. Buckets, mops, and small water pumps were also deployed to remove water that entered homes and shops.
Sellers noted that such demand spikes are rare but not unexpected after last year’s heavy rains. “After what people experienced in 2024, they are more alert now,” Huq said. “This time, many didn’t wait for the rain—they prepared before it even started.”
