Dubai: The United Arab Emirates has showcased remarkable resilience and proactive measures in response to the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in the country’s history. With accurate early warnings and exemplary coordination among security agencies, efforts have been effectively mobilized to safeguard lives during this unprecedented weather event.
Despite the severe conditions, which started with a fierce thunderstorm late Monday night, the loss of life was limited to a single casualty, a 70-year-old resident from Ras Al Khaimah. The response teams have since recovered his body, underscoring the rapid action taken by emergency personnel.
This rare meteorological phenomenon brought more than 142 millimeters of rain to Dubai, a figure typically seen over 18 months, overwhelming the desert city and halting air travel temporarily. Dubai International Airport, the world’s second busiest, suspended operations for a brief 25-minute period due to the severity of the storm, with ongoing disruptions into Wednesday.
The downpour also led to widespread flooding in homes, key infrastructure, and major shopping centers such as Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates. Authorities dispatched tanker trucks throughout the city to manage the floodwaters effectively.
Neighboring regions were not spared, with Al Ain and Fujairah recording 254 millimeters and 145 millimeters of rain, respectively. In response, the UAE government has implemented school closures and extended remote work policies to ensure public safety.
Oman experienced similar hardships, where intense rainfall resulted in the deaths of 18 people, including a tragic incident involving school children.
Meteorologists attribute this unusual weather to a potent storm system crossing the Arabian Peninsula, potentially intensified by cloud seeding operations aimed at increasing precipitation. This event has also sparked discussions among experts about the role of climate change, which is believed to have enhanced the frequency and intensity of such storms due to warmer atmospheric conditions capable of holding more moisture.
While linking any single weather event directly to climate change is complex, the patterns observed are consistent with the expected impacts of global warming, highlighting the need for continued attention to climate resilience and adaptation strategies.
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