DUBAI // Water from a burst main that flooded roads and car parks near Ibn Battuta Mall has now receded but closed roads continued to cause traffic chaos yesterday.
Most of the flood water, which was knee-deep in some areas behind the mall's China Court area on Friday, have now been pumped out.
In its place is the dirt, debris and sand that was picked up by the water and although most of the small side roads have now been reopened, the main entrance to Discovery Gardens and the mall remained blocked off until last night.
An official at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said crews were still working with Dewa following the burst water main.
"At this stage, we don't know when the roads that remain closed will be reopened but crews are working to resolve the issue as soon as they can," he said.
Exit 27 off Sheikh Zayed Road was closed for a second day yesterday, forcing drivers to divert to exit 25.
However, traffic was at a standstill for most of the afternoon, with tailbacks stretching as far back as Ibn Battuta Metro Station.
Some people tried to avoid the delays by using the Metro's walkway flyover from the west side of Sheikh Zayed Road to the mall side but found it closed.
"We decided to use the Metro entrance after seeing how long the traffic was to the next exit," said an American woman who was waiting with her husband and six others. "But I've just called the RTA and they have said it won't be opening."
There were similar tailbacks on the opposite side of the road.
A spokeswoman for Nakheel, the developer of Discovery Gardens and Ibn Battuta Mall, said water supplies had been restored to the mall.
"We are continuing to pump water out from our pumping rooms but water supplies have been restored to the mall," she said.
The flood damage was caused when a large water main burst at 10pm on Thursday night.
Police said no one was hurt in the incident.
