The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is reeling from the aftermath of heavy rains and floods, described by the government as the most significant precipitation event in 75 years. The calamity, which began on April 16 night and continued into April 17, has left at least one person dead and caused widespread destruction across the country, the Guardian reported.
"Despite the widespread impact, authorities have remained tight-lipped on the extent of the damage," states the report.
Dubai International Airport, one of the world's busiest hubs, faced significant disruptions, with passenger jets navigating through flooded runways and flights being grounded.
شاهد.. ارتفاع منسوب المياه بمطار #دبي#منخفض_الهدير pic.twitter.com/8gswSzbJKJ
— العربية الإمارات (@AlArabiyaUAE) April 16, 2024
The unprecedented rainfall, totaling over 142mm in Dubai alone, is a stark departure from the region's typical arid climate. The UAE's average annual rainfall at Dubai International Airport stands at 94.7mm, making this recent deluge exceptional and alarming. The repercussions of the floods have extended beyond the UAE, with neighboring countries such as Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia also grappling with adverse weather conditions.
While some media reports speculated that cloud seeding may have exacerbated the situation, the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) refuted these claims, stating that no seeding operations were conducted during the turbulent weather episode. Despite this, concerns remain over the potential impact of climate change on extreme weather events, with experts warning of more frequent and severe disasters in the future.
صور الرادار ثلاثية الأبعاد لحركة تكون السحب#أمطار #أمطار_الخير#المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد
— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@ncmuae) April 16, 2024
3D Radar images of cloud formation over the area
#rain#national_Center_of_Meteorology pic.twitter.com/NBYkFL1Gsn
In response to the crisis, the UAE government has taken several precautionary measures, including the closure of schools and the extension of remote working arrangements for government employees. However, with more rain forecasted in the coming days, the situation remains fluid, and authorities continue to urge residents to exercise caution and stay safe amidst the ongoing deluge.
Floods in Afghanistan on April 16, claimed the lives of a minimum of 66 individuals, leaving 38 injured and causing damage to 1235 houses, with 600 livestock perishing as well.
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