Dubai: Water system fails at luxury apartments

Ruptured water pipes at a luxury apartment complex on Dubai's man-made, palm-shaped islands have forced residents to wash in the sea and use shopping-centre toilets.

Property managers at the seven-building Oceana complex say the problems began on Sunday during maintenance work. Officials yesterday gave no timetable for when water could be fully restored.

The cut left many residents showering at pools or scrubbing down in the sea, as temperatures pushed above 42C. Bathrooms in malls and nearby shopping areas are the only option for tenants who have not moved to hotels. The shut-down has not hit other areas of the palm island.