Dubai thrown into disarray as UAE experiences most severe precipitation in 75 years
In a span of only 12 hours, Dubai experienced a deluge of rain that is equivalent to a full year’s worth of precipitation. According to a statement released on Wednesday by the state’s media office, the United Arab Emirates experienced widespread chaos due to the largest amount of rainfall seen in 75 years. Some regions received over 250 mm (approximately 10 inches) of rain in less than 24 hours. This information was shared on Twitter.
According to records dating back to 1949, the Middle Eastern nation experienced unprecedented levels of rainfall that caused flooding on streets, uprooted palm trees, and damaged building facades. The popular tourist spot, Dubai, was greatly affected as flights were disrupted, traffic was at a standstill, and schools were forced to shut down.
According to airport weather observations, a total of 100 millimeters (approximately 4 inches) of rain was recorded within a span of 12 hours on Tuesday. This amount is equivalent to the average annual rainfall in Dubai, based on data from the United Nations. This occurred in contrast to the usual dry climate of Dubai.
The downpour was so intense and sudden that certain drivers had no choice but to leave their cars behind as the flood level increased and streets became waterways.
The frequency of intense precipitation occurrences, such as this one, is on the rise as a result of the rising temperatures in the atmosphere caused by human-induced climate change. As the atmosphere gets warmer, it has the capacity to absorb more moisture, similar to a towel, and subsequently release it through heavy rainfall, resulting in flooding.
The prevailing climate was linked to a bigger storm front that passed through the Arabian Peninsula and progressed through the Gulf of Oman. This very same front is also responsible for the atypical precipitation in Oman and southeastern Iran,
According to the National Committee for Emergency Management in Oman, heavy rain caused flash floods that resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people. Oman’s state news agency reported that among the casualties were schoolchildren.
A heavy downpour in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Wednesday resulted in cars being stranded on a flooded road.
The source for this information is Rula Rouhana, a journalist affiliated with Reuters news agency. According to a statement from the police, a 70-year-old man passed away when his vehicle was swept away by flooding in Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the eastern regions were still experiencing rainfall, affecting certain areas of southern Iran and Pakistan. These regions typically do not receive much rain during this season. Chabahar, Iran’s southernmost city located in the Sistan and Baluchestan province, reported a rainfall of 130 mm.
On Wednesday, individuals who were trying to reach the center of Dubai via road found themselves stranded on the city’s highway. Due to the blocked roads, several taxi drivers declined to continue transporting the commuters, leaving them stuck on Dubai’s main thoroughfare.
Observers spotted commuters braving massive puddles on the road as they searched for alternative means of getting around. Many of those stranded had journeyed to Dubai from other countries to participate in the upcoming World Blockchain Summit, a cryptocurrency convention set to take place next week.
Disruption of Airport Operations
A video that caused shock displayed the tarmac of Dubai International Airport, which was recently declared as the second-busiest airport in the world, covered in water as huge airplanes struggled to navigate through the floodwater in Dubai. The massive jets appeared to be more like boats as they moved through the flooded airport, creating waves and spraying water in their wake.
On Wednesday, the airport was still experiencing disruptions caused by the storm, as the access roads were flooded and flights were delayed for several airlines, including the national airline Emirates. Budget airline Flydubai announced that all flights would be cancelled until 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday due to the adverse weather conditions.
According to Dubai International, individuals were advised on Wednesday morning to refrain from visiting the airport unless it is absolutely necessary. This is due to ongoing delays and diversions in flight schedules,
Due to unfavorable weather and road conditions, Emirates has temporarily halted check-in services for passengers leaving Dubai from 8 a.m. on Wednesday until midnight on Thursday. This decision was made due to operational difficulties.
On Wednesday, passengers were seen lining up at a flight connection desk in the Dubai International Airport in Dubai.
The UAE’s airports saw a total of 134 million passengers last year, with 87 million of them passing through Dubai International Airport. The country is estimated to have a population of 10 million and serves as a central point for five different airlines.
A video circulating on social media displayed furniture being thrown off balconies. Along the Dubai Marina, a manmade waterway surrounded by towering buildings and retail stores, furniture from nearby dining establishments was observed being swept away by powerful currents.
According to reports in the local media, photographs revealed that Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road, which has 16 lanes, was experiencing heavy traffic. The Business Bay district, known for its residential buildings, corporate offices, and shopping centers, was depicted with luxury cars almost completely submerged. In addition, commuters at a Dubai Metro station were forced to walk through ankle-deep water due to flooding.
The delivery services in Dubai came to a halt, causing inconvenience for many residents who were unable to venture out of their homes due to flooded streets. Cars and pedestrians were unable to navigate through the water. In some areas, residents resorted to using canoes to travel outside their homes, while a video that went viral on social media showed residents engaging in wake boarding on a flooded street in a residential area.
Footage from various social media platforms captured water forcefully flowing through a prominent shopping center and submerging the first level of residences.
According to The National, an official from the National Center of Meteorology in the UAE clarified that the recent rain was not a result of cloud seeding, dispelling any speculations that the rain was artificially created. The purpose of cloud seeding is to increase precipitation in dry or semi-arid areas by introducing substances into existing clouds that aid in the production of rain. The UAE has been actively conducting cloud seeding since the 1990s and has continued to do so regularly in recent years.
Dubai, similar to other areas in the Persian Gulf, experiences a hot and arid weather. This results in rare occurrences of rainfall and the city’s infrastructure struggling to cope with severe weather conditions.
Reporting for CNN was done by a team consisting of Abbas Al Lawati, Teele Rebane, Kathleen Magramo, Mostafa Salem, Sophie Tanno, and Eleni Giokos.
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