Residents across Dubai will now receive both text and audio alerts on their mobile phones during earthquakes, following a major upgrade to the emirate’s official earthquake monitoring app.
The Dubai Municipality’s “DB SAFE – OasisPlus for Dubai” app, originally launched in 2018, has been enhanced with voice notifications in both Arabic and English. The feature delivers real-time warnings about tremors and their potential impact on buildings across the city.
Eman Al Falasi, Head of the Geodetic and Marine Survey Section at Dubai Municipality, told Gulf News that the new audio feature significantly improves accessibility, particularly benefiting people of determination (PoD). “This ensures no one misses vital safety information during a seismic event,” she said.
Pioneering Seismic Safety in the Region
Dubai has long been a regional leader in seismic monitoring, becoming the first city in the UAE to install a dedicated seismic network. The initiative was driven by the city’s extraordinary skyline — with over 20% of the world’s high-rise buildings and 263 towers exceeding 150 metres, including the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
“People on higher floors can sometimes feel vibrations even when there’s no significant impact at ground level,” Al Falasi explained. “To address this, the Seismic Centre at Dubai Municipality established the UAE’s first seismic network and linked it to all emergency centres to provide real-time support.”
Smart Monitoring for Skyscrapers
The municipality’s seismic network dates back to 2006, when the first monitoring stations were installed. By 2012, the system had expanded to include strong-motion sensors across urban areas to record tremors and produce real-time shake maps that show the intensity and reach of seismic activity.
Following the tremors of 2013, Dubai Municipality took another leap forward by introducing smart structural health monitoring systems in key high-rise buildings. These systems, now installed in landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa and other major towers, continuously measure factors like displacement, acceleration, and velocity.
Real-Time Data for Decision-Makers
The upgraded DB SAFE app now issues seven types of notifications, giving users guidance on whether evacuation is needed based on the severity of the quake.
For building managers, the system provides detailed dashboards with colour-coded indicators that reveal which floors are affected and to what extent. “They can see the data in real time and immediately decide what actions to take,” said Al Falasi. “They can also view exit routes and receive feedback from occupants who felt the tremors.”
Robot “Suhail” Brings Earthquake Awareness to Kids
In a creative push toward inclusivity, Dubai Municipality also introduced “Suhail” — an interactive robot designed to teach earthquake safety to children, especially those with disabilities.
Presented at the AccessAbilities Expo 2025, Suhail guides users through what to do before, during, and after an earthquake using simple, engaging dialogue. “We interact with them through Suhail, and they learn while having fun,” Al Falasi said. The municipality plans to expand the robot’s educational modules to cater to a wider range of abilities.
Download and Stay Alert
The DB SAFE – OasisPlus for Dubai app is available free of charge on both iOS and Android platforms. Once registered, users receive instant alerts about nearby seismic activity, view quake maps, and even report tremors they experience to help improve data accuracy.
The app also offers comprehensive earthquake information, including how quakes are measured, step-by-step safety guidelines, and a video tutorial available through the Geodesy and Hydrographic Survey Section’s website.Although the UAE faces minimal direct seismic risk, tremors from southern Iran and Pakistan are occasionally felt in the region. With its continuous innovations, Dubai is ensuring that residents remain safe, informed, and prepared no matter how high the city’s skyline reaches.
