New Delhi: UAE was hit by strong thunderstorms and heavy rain, which caused severe flooding in Dubai. In a matter of hours, the arid city-state received enough rain to last for a year and a half. One of the busiest airports in the world, Dubai International Airport, had delays due to the severe weather and heavy rain.
As per the MeT report, the desert city was soaked by about 20 mm (0.79 inches) of rain late on Monday. Tuesday morning saw a sharp increase in the storm. By the end of the day, the international airport recorded 94.7 mm (3.73 inches) of rainfall in the city, totalling more than 142 mm (5.59 inches). The terminal was filled with chaos, and there were rumours that some passengers were being turned away because of the crowding.
The UAE experienced heavy rainfall and some people will describe it as Biblical levels of flooding and apocalyptic scenes as more than 4.7 inches of rain fell before 4 pm, which matched the typical yearly average. Roads were flooded around the airport and wealthy drivers in their luxury vehicles were seen floating through the flooded streets.
Metro Services Disrupted
The metro system of the city faced severe disruptions and several stations were reportedly flooded affecting daily commutes. Schools were closed and many government and private sector workers opted to stay and work from home. Tanker trucks had to be used by the authorities to pump the water out of the roads and streets. Residential areas were also affected; numerous homes had substantial water intrusion, which prompted homeowners to take precautions against the damage.
The UAE has yet to provide a comprehensive assessment of the damage despite numerous disruptions, and no casualties have been reported. However, there was an instance recorded in Ras al-Khaimah, the northern emirate, when a 70-year-old man lost his life after his vehicle was washed away by floodwaters. The number of fatalities has increased to 18 in neighbouring Oman as a result of the harsh weather and heavy rainfall. Ten schoolchildren and an adult who were carried away while riding in the car were among the dead.
The authorities have announced the continuation of remote schooling and work for Wednesday as the regions prepare themselves for more weather disturbances. This unusual weather shows the challenges faced by a region which is not accustomed to such conditions, especially in infrastructure preparedness and emergency response mechanisms
