The recent extraordinary weather phenomenon that struck Dubai has caused chaos and amazement in this typically dry region. Unprecedented torrential rains flooded the streets and deserts of Dubai, creating a stunning and unusual landscape.
Data from Dubai International Airport reveals that the rainfall commenced late Monday night, saturating Dubai’s desert sands and roads with approximately 20 millimeters of rain. The storms intensified around 9 a.m. on Tuesday and persisted throughout the day, showering the city with rain and hail.
This weather event led to chaos, disrupting air travel and inundating streets across the UAE. The state news agency WAM referred to the rains as a historic weather event, surpassing any previously recorded since data collection began in 1949.
The burning question on everyone’s mind is: what triggered these floods in Dubai?
Primarily, the absence of adequate drainage played a pivotal role. Rainfall is a rarity in the United Arab Emirates, an arid country on the Arabian Peninsula. Consequently, many roads and urban areas lack proper drainage systems due to the infrequency of rainfall. Consequently, heavy rains result in significant flooding due to the lack of drainage infrastructure.
Moreover, the application of the weather modification technique known as “cloud seeding” is believed to have amplified the intensity of the precipitation. It is crucial to note that human-induced climate change likely exacerbated the intensity of the rains in Oman and Dubai. The torrential rains are partly attributed to cloud seeding efforts.
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that alters the quantity or type of precipitation, mitigates hail, or disperses fog, typically with the aim of increasing rainfall or snow. The United Arab Emirates employs this method to enhance rainfall and cope with water scarcity.
Ultimately, these extreme weather events serve as a poignant reminder of the fragility of our environment in the face of climate change. They underscore the imperative need to implement adaptation and mitigation measures to confront the looming climate challenges. Beyond fascination and astonishment, they compel us to contemplate our impact on the planet and collaborate for a sustainable future.