The United Arab Emirates has recently experienced its heaviest rainfall in 75 years, leading to significant disruptions.
Highways and malls are flooded, schools are closed, and flights have been canceled at one of the world’s busiest airports. A 70-year-old man has died after being swept away by floodwaters in Ras Al Khaimah.
Dubai International Airport, often bustling with activity, has been severely affected, with passenger jets struggling through deep water and city streets resembling rivers.
The situation at the airport has been described as chaotic, with passengers unable to find taxis and some taking refuge in the metro station or airport itself.
Cars and homes submerged as historic rainfall hits the UAE, overwhelming drainage systems.The heavy rains began on Monday night, delivering over 142 mm (5.59 inches) to Dubai by Tuesday evening—equivalent to its usual rainfall for a year and a half. The downpour also impacted Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, where flooding has claimed 19 lives, including a young girl in Saham.
Despite speculation, the UAE’s National Center of Meteorology has confirmed that no cloud seeding operations were conducted during the storm. Cloud seeding, used to enhance precipitation, would not have been effective during such severe weather.
Dubai’s infrastructure is struggling under the weight of the floods, with homes and vehicles submerged and many areas lacking adequate drainage. Major shopping centers like Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates have also been inundated, and even the Dubai Metro station has seen ankle-deep water.
The UAE government has announced that schools will remain closed until next week and extended remote working for government employees. The extreme weather has been exacerbated by global climate change, which is increasing the frequency and intensity of such events.