Year’s worth of rain pounds Dubai in 24 hrs, flights canceled, malls flooded
The intensity and frequency of flash floods in the Gulf region seem to have increased.
Torrential rainfall has crippled the United Arab Emirates, causing widespread flooding across the nation. According to the UAE government, it is the heaviest downpour in 75 years.
One person has lost his life due to this heavy downpour. As per police records, a 70-year-old man died in Ras Al-Khaimah after powerful floodwaters swept away his car.
Moreover, the heavy rainfall has inundated cities and disrupted major transportation networks. Access to basic infrastructure facilities like metro stations and shopping centers has also been hampered.
A deluge of problems
Major UAE cities have been plagued with flash floods that are inundating streets, highways, and other transport networks. UAE’s most populous city, Dubai, received over 142 mm (5.59 inches) of rain in just 24 hours. Notably, this exceeds the average annual rainfall in Dubai by one and a half times.
For reference, the world’s busiest international travel hub, Dubai International Airport, receives an average annual rainfall of just 94.7mm (3.73 inches). The airport has been forced to divert its air traffic and cancel several flights.
The extreme weather conditions have disrupted normal life in the UAE, with the country’s inland regions also facing deluge-like situations. They have reported receiving rainfall of over 80 mm (3.2 inches) in 24 hours, which is just shy of the annual average of around 100 mm.
Owing to the intense rainfall, roads have been waterlogged, and vehicles have been floating. Some social media footage shows floodwaters reaching ankle-deep in some areas.
Preventive measures are in place
The National Center for Meteorology of the UAE has issued a warning. Calling this weather event “exceptional,” the UAE government expects further rainfall in the coming days. It has requested residents to avoid going outside unless absolutely necessary.
Meanwhile, tanker trucks have been deployed to remove excess water and make the streets accessible. Further, the government has ordered schools to stay closed. Additionally, it has extended remote working for government employees until Wednesday.
A bigger problem
It is worth noting that recent flash floods occurred across Bahrain and Oman, leaving 18 people dead in the latter. These extreme weather conditions have intensified the concerns around the impact of climate change, especially in the Gulf region.
The UAE and Oman had jointly hosted the COP-28 UN climate talks last year and expressed concerns over increasing global temperature that can cause more frequent and intense flooding events.
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