The recent heavy rainfall in the United Arab Emirates, particularly in Dubai, created chaos as floodwater covered major highways and communities, leading to significant disruptions in the region. Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest in the world, had to suspend many of its operations due to the flooding, impacting travelers and airlines alike. The airport's CEO, Paul Griffiths, mentioned that it would take at least another 24 hours to fully resume operations close to normal.
The flooding not only affected the airport but also caused challenges for desert communities in Dubai, where civil defence officials struggled to pump out rising floodwaters, with some areas seeing water levels reaching up to 1 metre. The storm, which dumped more than 142 millimeters of rain over 24 hours in Dubai, exceeded the average yearly rainfall for the region, causing widespread disruptions and damage. Efforts were made to combat the flooding, with 22 tankers deployed to remove water from the airport grounds and drainage systems becoming overwhelmed by the unusually heavy rainfall.
Despite facing criticism for its cloud seeding program, which some speculated might have contributed to the intense rainfall, experts clarified that the storm systems responsible for the deluge were predicted in advance. With the effects of climate change leading to more extreme weather events worldwide, the UAE's recent flooding highlights the vulnerability of the region and the urgent need to enhance infrastructure and preparedness for such occurrences. While the aftermath of the heavy rainfall led to delays, disruptions, and challenges for residents and travelers, authorities and communities worked together to address the impacts and assess the damage caused by the unprecedented weather event.