United Arab Emirates Struggles to Recover From Record Rainfall as Desert Nation is Heavily Flooded

Published: Apr 29, 2024

Dubai may be known as a desert city, but the heavy rainfall that hit the city in April 2024 sent shockwaves worldwide.

In the days following the event, the city struggled to return to normal, leaving holidaymakers stranded and residents having to pay to have water pumped out of their homes.

Heaviest Rainfall in History

Dubai is hardly known for dealing with rain, so the shock rainstorm in April puzzled many.

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An abandoned car in the Dubai floods. The water is going halfway up the side of the car.

Source: @justq888/X

The AP Press reports that this was the heaviest rainfall since records began in 1949. The city saw 5.59 inches of rainfall in 24 hours, even though in an average year, it tends to see 3.73 inches.

Like Living Through an Apocalypse

Many living in or stranded in Dubai have compared the flooding on X to living through an apocalypse.

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A screenshot from a video showing the storm in Dubai. Most of the sky is grey and there is lots of dust and sand swirling around due to the high winds.

Source: @Northistan/X

Many users shared videos of the situation online, which showed lightning striking buildings, trees falling down in seconds, and extensive damage to roads and buildings.

Absolute Carnage at the Airport

Dubai holidaymakers weren’t exactly expecting to end their holiday on such a low note as flooding at the airport left them stuck and unable to get home.

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Passengers in Dubai airport are stranded due to the flooding. A crowd of people is cramped together. Some are standing, and others are sitting on the floor.

Source: @AshleyB_me/X

Many flights were canceled, and passengers were not given any further information about how to get home or what to do.

The Airport Needed 22 Tankers

The sheer amount of rainfall the city experienced caused flooding in many places, including at Dubai airport.

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An image of a plane landing at Dubai airport during the flooding.

Source: @gunsnrosesgirl/X

The AP Press reported that 22 tankers with vacuum pumps were needed to remove water from the runway to resume flights.

Passengers Left Stranded

Emirates posted on X early on April 19, 2024, that check-in was suspended for their customers until April 20.

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A post on X from the Emirates Support team account regarding passengers stranded in Dubai. The post says, “Emirates is suspending check-in for all customers in our network travelling with onward connections through Dubai until 2359hrs [GMT] on 19 April. This is to support operations recovery from the recent bad weather at our Dubai hub. Passengers already in Dubai and in transit will continue to be processed for their flights. Customers travelling to Dubai as their final destination may check-in and travel as usual. Customers can expect delays to departures and arrivals and are advised to check the latest flight schedules on emirates.com.”

Source: @EmiratesSupport/X

The reason given was to support operations recovery due to the bad weather in Dubai. Emirates urged customers to contact their booking agent or the Emirates office to re-book their flights.

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An Entire City on Shutdown

Due to the extreme weather warnings and the weather that followed, many could not leave their homes.

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A black Jeep being transported through the Dubai floods on a red G-Resue boat.

Source: @Zikamnyamane/X

Schools were closed and most workers went back to remote working, with very few having to venture out to go to work and help the flood relief efforts.

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At Least Twenty People Have Died

Forbes reported that due to the flash floods, at least twenty people are believed to have died as a result.

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Some abandoned cars in the Dubai floods. The water is going halfway up the cars.

Source: @chude__/X

The deaths include a 70-year-old man whose car was swept away by the floods, as well as an infant and twelve children whose school bus was also swept away by flooding.

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Many Found the Rain Scary

The Daily Mail reported that a nine-year-old girl who once enjoyed the rain is now saying that the rain in Dubai makes her scared of it.

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A zoomed-in image from the storm in Dubai. It shows a sofa, cushions, and chair set being flown off a balcony due to the strong winds.

Source: @MbaAdol/X

She was helping her mother clear the water from outside her house, who said she hid away from the storm until it had eased.

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Not Enough Drainage To Cope

One of the major issues that caused the flooding was the lack of drainage throughout Dubai.

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Two cars struggling to drive through the floods in Dubai. The flood water is halfway up each car's tires.

Source: @the_ecofeminist/X

Dubai barely sees any rainfall throughout the year, so the city wasn’t prepared for an event like this.

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It Could Cost Billions To Resolve

If recent data is any indication, the cost of resolving the flooding issues in Dubai isn’t likely to be cheap.

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A pile of $100 notes.

Source: Giorgio Trovato/Unsplash

While the exact costs are unknown, AGBI reported that the National Centers for Environmental Information found that each flooding event costs around $4.7 billion in damage.

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Dubai Aims to Go Back to Normality Quickly

Not one to let this phase them, Dubai aims to return to normality sooner rather than later.

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Dubai during the day when it’s not flooded. There are high-rise buildings and clear roads.

Source: ZQ Lee/Unsplash

The BBC reported that UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Nahyan issued a public order for authorities to study the condition of Dubai’s infrastructure and limit any damage caused.

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Global Warming and Desert Climate Change

The unexpected torrential rains in Dubai signal a shift in climate patterns, possibly linked to global warming.

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Illustration depicting climate change with one scene of a lush field and trees and another of dead trees flooded by water

Source: Freepik

As desert regions like Dubai witness unusual weather, experts stress the need for comprehensive studies to understand these anomalies better and predict future climatic shifts.

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Clarifying Cloud Seeding Myths

The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has officially denied conducting cloud seeding operations before or during the record rainfall in Dubai. This statement comes after speculative reports suggested that such activities could have worsened the flooding.

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Water droplets in front of a blurry photograph of a cloud

Source: Freepik

Omar AlYazeedi, deputy director general of the NCM, emphasized that the agency “did not conduct any seeding operations during this event” (via CNBC).

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Addressing Misinformation on Seeding

Following inaccurate reports linking cloud seeding to the heavy rains, NCM worked to clarify that the rainfall was a result of natural weather patterns.

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A sunrise over clouds in the early morning

Source: Public Domain/RawPixel

They stressed the importance of accurate reporting to prevent public confusion and ensure community trust.

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Principles of Cloud Seeding Explained

Cloud seeding is a precise science, targeting clouds in their nascent stages. AlYazeedi explained, “One of the basic principles of cloud seeding is that you have to target clouds in its early stage before it rains.”

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Cirrus clouds in a blue sky

Source: Dimitry B./Wikimedia Commons

This method was reportedly not applicable during the severe thunderstorms that struck Dubai, making seeding operations unfeasible.

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Cloud Seeding's Role in Water Resource Management

Cloud seeding has been instrumental in the UAE’s strategy to combat water shortages, involving over 1,000 hours of operations annually.

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Dark clouds over a field

Sourc: Marek Piwnicki/Pexels

This technique enhances rainfall, which is vital for replenishing local water supplies and supporting agricultural activities.

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Cloud Seeding Examples, United States

Cloud seeding is employed in several states including California, Utah, and Colorado, primarily to increase snowfall for water supply and hydroelectric power.

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California Department of Water State Water Project

In California, the Department of Water Resources has been conducting cloud seeding operations since the 1950s in order to increase snowpack levels in the Sierra Nevada mountains. This method has been found to contribute an additional 400,000 acre-feet of water annually (via the California Natural Resources Agency).

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Cloud Seeding Examples, China

China has one of the world’s largest cloud seeding systems, using the technology to induce rain and clear air pollution.

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The Great Wall of China during summer. The photo is taken from some steps going down and is surrounded by green trees and bushes.

Source: Johannes Plenio/Unsplash

The country extensively used cloud seeding to ensure clear skies for important events like the 2008 Beijing Olympics (via The Guardian).

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Ensuring Safety During Weather Manipulation

“NCM takes the safety of our people, pilots, and aircrafts very seriously,” stated AlYazeedi.

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A small plane photographed during mid-flight as it passes a collection of clouds

Source: Freepik

According to his statement, the agency refrains from seeding during extreme weather to avoid compromising the safety and effectiveness of their operations.

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Increased Rainfall Trends and Climate Shifts

Recent years have seen a rise in rainfall levels in the UAE, with studies predicting further increases due to climate change (via Reuters).

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Close-up of Water Drops on Rainy Day

Source: Pixabay/Pexels

This evolving weather pattern is challenging the traditional desert climate paradigm of the region.

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Early Warning Systems and Safety Protocols

Ahead of the storm, UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority issued warnings and safety advice via X.

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Close-up Photography of Smartphone Icons

Source: Pixabay/Pexels

Residents were urged to stay indoors and adhere to safety guidelines to mitigate risks during the unstable weather conditions.

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Infrastructure Overwhelmed by Floods

Ultiamtely, Dubai’s infrastructure, designed for minimal rainfall, was ill-equipped to handle the sudden deluge, leading to flooded roads and airports.

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Image: floodreadytn.com

The city’s drainage systems were unable to handle the sheer amount of rain water, highlighting the need for infrastructural adjustments in light of changing climate patterns.

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Planning for Future Weather Extremes

Considering the increased frequency and intensity of rainfall, Dubai is prompted to reevaluate its infrastructure and urban planning policies.

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An expansive flooded area under a clear blue sky, with partially submerged streetlights and electrical poles arranged in rows

Source: Eagle Island Nature Park/Facebook

Enhancements are necessary to better withstand such extreme weather events, ensuring quicker recovery and minimal disruption in the future.

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