DUBAI, United Arab Emirates. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) grappled with the aftermath of unprecedented rainfall on Wednesday, as the desert nation faced widespread flooding, including at Dubai International Airport, causing chaos and disruption to air travel.
Described as a “historic weather event” by the state-run WAM news agency, the torrential rain surpassed any recorded since data collection began in 1949. The deluge, affecting not only the UAE but also Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, was particularly acute in the Emirates.
One potential factor contributing to the intense rainfall was “cloud seeding,” a technique where special salt flares are released into clouds to stimulate precipitation. While the UAE government has not confirmed the extent of its cloud-seeding operations, meteorologists suggest it may have played a role.
Despite initial efforts to mitigate the impact, including cloud-seeding flights, the rain intensified late Monday, inundating Dubai with over 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) within 24 hours. This far exceeded the annual average of 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) for the city.
The flooding severely disrupted operations at Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. Runways were submerged, and taxiways became waterlogged, halting arrivals and departures. Passengers faced difficulties reaching terminals due to flooded roads, leading to scenes of “absolute carnage” according to eyewitnesses.
Emirates, the flagship carrier of the UAE, suspended check-in services and struggled to clear the backlog of stranded passengers. FlyDubai, its low-cost counterpart, also experienced disruptions, compounding the airport’s challenges.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai International Airport, described the situation as unprecedented, with every available parking space occupied by grounded aircraft. Efforts to restore normalcy were hampered by ongoing rainfall and logistical hurdles.
The adverse weather conditions prompted widespread closures of schools and remote work arrangements across the UAE. Tanker trucks were deployed to pump water from flooded areas, while emergency services remained on high alert to respond to incidents.
Tragically, the heavy rainfall claimed at least one life in Ras al-Khaimah, underscoring the severity of the situation. In neighboring Oman, where heavy rains also wreaked havoc, the death toll climbed to 19, including schoolchildren swept away in floodwaters.
As cleanup and recovery efforts continue, authorities brace for further challenges posed by the aftermath of the storm. With schools closed for the week and ongoing disruptions to transportation, the UAE faces a daunting task in returning to normalcy amidst the unprecedented weather event.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
