Dubai has been hit by a historic weather event that brought an unprecedented 142mm of rainfall in 24 hours, causing severe flooding and widespread disruptions in the city and at Dubai International Airport.
Dubai, UAE, has recently experienced devastating torrential rain, resulting in unprecedented flooding and widespread disruption. The deluge began on Monday, and in just 24 hours, over 142mm of rainfall was recorded, significantly surpassing the region’s annual average. This “historic weather event,” as described by the State-run WAM news agency, marks the most severe rainfall since records began in 1949.
The consequences of the storm have been severe across Dubai, affecting residents and travellers alike. British expatriate Jake McCulloch from Essex, now living in Dubai, described wading through knee-deep water to access his car, with his apartment block severely impacted by leaks and flooding up to two-and-a-half meters outside. The community has been actively engaged in rescue and cleanup efforts, moving vehicles and belongings to safer areas.
Similarly, the storm has caused chaos at Dubai International Airport, stranding thousands of travellers including a British couple from Manchester, who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. With flooded hotels and limited assistance available, many passengers have resorted to sleeping in the airport. This couple has been informed that their return flight to the UK would only be available in three days, and it will arrive at Gatwick Airport, 230 miles from their Manchester home.
The UAE’s meteorology agency has addressed speculations about cloud seeding contributing to the extreme weather, stating that no such operations were conducted before the storm. Meanwhile, Emirates airline has come under fire for its handling of the situation, with severe delays and flight cancellations continuing to plague the airport, which has advised against unnecessary travel until further notice.
The aftermath of the storm presents an ongoing challenge for Dubai, highlighting the dramatic impact such extreme weather can have on this usually arid desert city.
