Dubai, renowned for its dry climate and towering skyscrapers, experienced an extraordinary event as the United Arab Emirates encountered its most significant rainfall in 75 years.
In just 24 hours, over 110 mm of rain poured down on the desert city, an amount typically seen over an entire year. The unexpected deluge led to unprecedented flooding across Dubai, affecting highways, homes, and vital infrastructure. The downpour began on Monday night and intensified into a torrential onslaught by Tuesday evening, catching residents and authorities by surprise. Even inland regions of the UAE experienced rainfall exceeding 80mm, approaching the annual average of approximately 100mm, a rare occurrence in the typically arid Arabian Peninsula, especially during the cooler winter months.
The impact of the heavy rains reverberated across the Gulf states, triggering flash floods and disrupting air travel. Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest hubs, had to temporarily divert flights as the torrential rains rendered runways and terminals inaccessible. Although operations have resumed, the aftermath of the flooding persists, with homes submerged and vital infrastructure like the Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates facing ankle-deep inundation. Images shared on social media depicted lightning illuminating the sky, and warnings from the National Centre for Meteorology urged residents to exercise caution and avoid flooded areas, with further rainfall anticipated in the coming days.
In Oman, officials confirmed a death toll of 18 from flash floods, with several individuals still missing. Tragically, among the victims were 10 students, aged between 10 and 15, who lost their lives on April 14th when the vehicle they were travelling in was swept away while crossing a flooded area. Meanwhile, in Bahrain, distressing footage showed cars stranded on flooded roads, underscoring the widespread impact of the heavy rainfall.
In response to the crisis, UAE authorities swiftly took measures to ensure public safety, including the closure of schools and extending remote work arrangements for government employees. Despite these precautions, the UAE remains vigilant for further rainfall, grappling with challenges posed by inadequate drainage infrastructure and the unprecedented nature of the climate event.
Many experts and commentators have linked these extreme weather events to climate change, suggesting that such unprecedented storms are likely to become more frequent as the planet continues to warm. With rising temperatures, the atmosphere can hold approximately 7% more moisture for every 1 degree Celsius increase, leading to increased precipitation characterized by heavier rainfall occurring over shorter durations and confined to smaller geographic areas.