UAE Experiences Its Heaviest Rainfall In 75 Years
Desert Nation Limps Back To Normalcy
In a rare and dramatic turn of weather events, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was besieged by an uncharacteristic rainstorm on April 16, 2024 – the magnitude of which the desert nation had not encountered since its founding in 1971.
The storm lashed out across the desert nation with a force unseen in recent memory, disrupting urban and rural life. The sudden onslaught of torrential rain, thunderstorms and high-velocity winds caught most residents off guard despite the authorities issuing inclement weather warnings well in advance.
The UAE is more accustomed to its arid desert climate than torrential downpours. However, the storm defied expectations, unleashing a deluge that overwhelmed infrastructure and challenged emergency response efforts.
In addition to the inclement weather striking the UAE, leaving at least one dead in Ras Al Khaimah emirate, it also struck neighbouring Oman, where authorities reported that 19 residents had perished in inclement weather incidents.
According to meteorologists, the UAE received its heaviest rainfall in the past 75 years, with a record-setting 254.8mm of rain drenching the country within 24 hours and making news headlines worldwide.
Regular 80mm
On average, the UAE receives only 80mm of rain annually—one of the lowest in the world.
With its towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, Dubai faced the storm’s wrath. The city’s usually vibrant roads were transformed into waterlogged avenues as rainwater poured down, flooding streets, submerging vehicles, and causing the city’s fabled luxury malls, including swanky Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, to leak from the ceiling.
In Dubai, vehicles, including buses and pickups, were nearly submerged in water, leading to long queues at fuel stations as drivers grappled with the storm’s aftermath.
Emergency workers utilised commercial tankers to pump water from flooded roads, navigating around abandoned vehicles, at times, in waist-deep water.
Social media was flooded with images of vehicles trapped in submerged streets, their occupants desperately seeking safety as the water level rose. In addition to the chaos on the roads, the storm wreaked havoc on public transportation systems.
Volunteers of various nationalities contributed to relief efforts, offering water, food, shelter, and assistance to those affected by the disaster.
Flights’ Chaos
On April 16 and 17, flights were delayed or cancelled at Dubai International Airport, disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers. The Dubai Metro system also experienced significant disruptions, with services suspended on several lines due to flooding in stations and tunnels.
Beyond the urban centres, the storm’s impact reverberated throughout the UAE. In Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, residents grappled with flooded homes and streets as drainage systems struggled to cope with the deluge.
The ordinarily tranquil beaches of the UAE were transformed into turbulent seas as towering waves pounded the coastline, prompting authorities to issue warnings to beachgoers and anglers.
Despite the chaos and destruction, the UAE’s emergency services sprang into action, mobilising resources to aid those affected by the storm.
As recovery efforts continue, authorities have advised government employees and students to stay home until waterlogged roads are cleared. Although some roadways remain flooded, efforts are underway to restock grocery shelves and restore delivery services in affected areas.
24×7 Rescue
Teams of first responders worked tirelessly to rescue stranded motorists, evacuate flooded areas, and assist those in need. Beginning on April 16, government agencies coordinated relief efforts, distributing supplies and providing shelter to displaced residents.
As of April 19, emergency crews continue working tirelessly to clear waterlogged roads while residents assess the extensive damage inflicted upon homes and businesses nationwide following the unprecedented rainstorm.
Operations at Dubai International Airport – one of the busiest in the world for passenger traffic – remain severely disrupted, with flights experiencing diversions, delays, and cancellations due to the flooded runways.
While some inbound flights have resumed at Terminal 1 for foreign carriers, passengers face delays and disruptions.
Check-in services at Terminal 3 for Emirates and Flydubai flights have also resumed, albeit with significant wait times due to overcrowding and limited access caused by nearby floodwaters.
In the storm’s aftermath, attention turned to how such an unprecedented event could have occurred.
Climate Change
While the UAE has experienced occasional rainfall, the intensity and duration of this storm were unparalleled. Climate scientists pointed to the influence of global climate change, suggesting that shifting weather patterns may be responsible for the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events worldwide.
The rarity of rainfall in the UAE, coupled with the storm’s intensity, has raised questions about the role of climate change in extreme weather events. While cloud seeding, a process frequently conducted by the UAE, has been scrutinised, climate experts assert that global warming is the primary driver behind such occurrences.
Researchers anticipate heightened temperatures, increased humidity, and a greater risk of flooding in the Gulf region, exacerbating challenges in countries like the UAE.
Officials in the UAE have vowed to bolster the country’s resilience to future storms. Plans are being implemented to upgrade infrastructure, improve drainage systems, and enhance emergency preparedness measures.
As the UAE grapples with the aftermath of this unprecedented event, attention turns towards bolstering resilience against future weather extremes and addressing the broader impacts of climate change.
Featured image: The ferocity of the rainstorm caught motorists unaware. Credit: Arnold Pinto
Last Updated on 9 months by Arnold Pinto
