New Delhi, April 17, 2024: Dubai, known for its arid climate and towering skyscrapers, found itself submerged under a deluge of rain as the United Arab Emirates faced its most significant rainfall event in the past 75 years.
With over 110 mm of rain drenching the desert city within 24 hours – a quantity typically expected over an entire year – Dubai grappled with unprecedented flooding that inundated highways, homes, and key infrastructure.
The unexpected downpour, which commenced on Monday night, escalated into a torrential onslaught by Tuesday evening, catching residents and authorities off guard. Inland regions of the UAE recorded rainfall exceeding 80mm, approaching the annual average of approximately 100mm, a rarity 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 disruptions in air travel. Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest hubs, temporarily diverted flights as torrential rains rendered runways and terminals inaccessible.
Media reported that although operations have since resumed, the aftermath of the flooding lingers, with homes submerged, vehicles abandoned on waterlogged roads, and vital infrastructure like the Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates succumbing to ankle-deep inundation.
The Dubai flood ain’t joke. pic.twitter.com/VzKUpFgOoN
— Chude Nnamdi (@chude__) April 16, 2024
Images shared on social media captured the surreal sight of lightning illuminating the sky, The National Centre for Meteorology issued warnings urging residents to exercise caution and avoid flooded areas, anticipating further rainfall in the coming days.
In Oman, officials confirmed that the death toll from flash floods has risen to 18, with several individuals still unaccounted for. Among the victims were 10 students, aged between 10 and 15, tragically killed on April 14th when the vehicle they were travelling in was swept away while attempting to cross a flooded area.
Meanwhile, in Bahrain, alarming footage depicted cars stranded amidst flooded roads, highlighting the widespread impact of the heavy rainfall.
In response to the crisis, UAE authorities took swift measures to ensure public safety, including the closure of schools and an extension of remote work arrangements for government employees. Despite these precautions, the UAE braces for the possibility of additional rainfall, exacerbating the challenges posed by inadequate drainage infrastructure and the unprecedented nature of the climate event.
Many experts and commentators have drawn connections between these extreme weather events and climate change, suggesting that such unprecedented storms are likely to become more frequent as the planet continues to warm.
As temperatures rise, the atmosphere has the capacity to retain approximately 7% more moisture for every 1 degree Celsius increase. Consequently, this heightened moisture content can lead to increased precipitation, characterised by heavier rainfall occurring over shorter durations and confined to smaller geographic areas.