Deluge in the desert: Dubai submerged by almost an year’s worth of rainfall
According to the Dubai Airport website, flights on April 16 are delayed or cancelled, with destinations including India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom
Dubai has been hit with unprecedented quantities of rainfall
In an extraordinary turn of events, the normally desert city of Dubai has been hit with unprecedented quantities of rainfall, resulting in severe flooding and pandemonium throughout the metropolis. What was previously famed for its hot desert heat has now become a picture of wet streets, drowned automobiles, and disturbed daily life as a year’s worth of rainfall floods the city.
FlyDubai has announced a temporary suspension of all flights departing from Dubai due to extreme weather conditions. The UAE’s main news outlet WAM reported the disruption as a preventative measure.
“All FlyDubai flights scheduled for departure from City this evening (16 April) have been canceled effective immediately until 10:00 (Dubai local time) on 17 April. During this period, passengers who do not have Dubai as their final destination will not be accepted for travel,” a FlyDubai spokesperson said.
In recent days, It has been experiencing an uncommon weather phenomenon, with torrential downpours soaking the city and its surroundings. The massive rains, which greatly above the region’s average annual precipitation, took people and authorities off guard, revealing the city’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.
A shocking video showed the tarmac at Dubai International Airport, which was just named the world’s second-busiest airport, submerged as large planes attempted to manage flooding. Large planes appeared to be boats as they flew through the flooded airport, spraying water in their wake and sending waves crashing through the depths.
On Tuesday, the airport shut down for about half an hour. “Operations continue to be significantly disrupted,” the airport stated in an update. “There is major flooding on access roads around Dubai leading to the airport.”
According to weather readings at the airport, about 142 mm of rain fell from Monday night to Tuesday evening, which is roughly equivalent to what Dubai receives in a year and half.
Images and videos circulating on social media show the intensity of the flooding, with water levels fast rising and pouring into highways, homes, and businesses. The sudden deluge has caused traffic jams, road closures, and interruptions in public transportation, leaving citizens stranded and emergency services stretched thin.
Flooding has far-reaching consequences, posing serious threats to public safety and infrastructure. There have been reports of buildings being evacuated, power disruptions, and property damage due by rising waters. Authorities have issued warnings, encouraging locals to be cautious and avoid needless travel as they assess the scope of the damage and mobilize relief resources.
Dubai, like the rest of the United Arab Emirates, has a hot, dry climate. As a result, rainfall is infrequent, and the infrastructure for dealing with extreme storms is lacking. Tuesday’s rain was a downpour.
According to experts, various causes contribute to the unique weather patterns, including changes in global climate systems and local environmental conditions. Rising temperatures, melting polar ice caps, and altered wind patterns are all thought to have an impact on weather extremes, such as significant rainfall events, in various parts of the world.
As Dubai deals with the aftermath of the flood, concerns arise concerning the city’s preparedness and adaption plans in the face of climatic variability and change. While efforts have been made to improve infrastructure resilience and drainage systems in recent years, the extent and severity of the recent flooding highlight the importance of ongoing attention and proactive actions to reduce future hazards.
The Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates were both flooded, and water was ankle-deep in at least one Dubai Metro station, according to social media photographs.
After causing fatal floods and leaving scores trapped in Oman, the storms and torrential rain moved on to the UAE, Bahrain, and sections of Qatar.
Heavy rain killed 18 persons in the UAE’s neighboring country of Oman.
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