Once a symbol of conquering the desert, Dubai found itself submerged in an unexpected deluge. This wasn’t your typical rain shower – the likes of which hadn’t been seen in over 70 years. Cars became waterlogged submarines, highways transformed into raging rivers, and the normally bustling airport was brought to a standstill. The culprit? A brutal downpour that unleashed its fury on the United Arab Emirates and Oman, leaving a trail of devastation and raising critical questions about our future.
Powerful Hit of Heavy Shower
While rain is rare in Dubai, it’s not unheard of. The Arabian Peninsula typically sees just a sprinkle throughout the year, but scientists have discovered this precipitation tends to come in bursts – occasional heavy showers instead of steady drizzle. This week, the UAE witnessed its highest 24-hour rainfall total since records began in 1949.
Oman, Dubai’s neighbor, is no stranger to heavy rain either. Sitting on the Arabian Sea, it’s vulnerable to tropical cyclones that bring downpours, strong winds, and devastating mudslides.
Scientists believe global warming is making these storms even stronger. A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, which eventually falls as rain or snow. However, the exact impact on rainfall patterns in different regions is still being studied. The UN isn’t ready to say definitively how climate change is affecting the Arabian Peninsula, but they do warn that extreme downpours are likely to become more common if global warming continues unchecked.
Cloud Seeding
Another wrinkle in this story is cloud seeding. The UAE has a long history of trying to boost its water reserves by seeding clouds. This involves injecting particles that encourage water droplets to clump together, making them heavier and more likely to fall as rain. Cloud seeding is used in many countries, but studies suggest its impact is modest – it might nudge a downpour into a heavier one, but it’s unlikely to turn a light drizzle into a flood.
Whether cloud seeding played a role in this week’s deluge is unclear. The UAE’s National Center of Meteorology says they didn’t seed during the storms themselves, but haven’t commented on activity in the preceding days.
Is The City Ready For More To Come?
Dubai, like many arid cities, wasn’t built to handle such heavy rainfall. Unlike places with regular rain, the city’s infrastructure isn’t designed for efficient drainage. Paved surfaces prevent water from soaking into the ground, overloading drainage systems that can’t cope with the sudden influx. A recent study found that Sharjah, a city in the UAE, is particularly vulnerable to flooding due to its rapid growth, with drainage systems unable to cope with increased runoff.
This week’s floods highlight the need for cities in dry regions to adapt their designs to handle the possibility of more intense precipitation in the future.
A Wake-Up Call
The recent flooding in Dubai serves as a wake-up call. As our climate changes, extreme weather events become more likely. Cities, especially those in dry regions, need to be prepared for these downpours. This means not only improving forecasting and early warning systems but also rethinking urban design to incorporate better drainage and flood management strategies. The future may hold more surprises for Dubai, but by being proactive, the city can ensure it’s ready to weather any storm.
Image—Reuters
