Dubai battling storm live on various social platforms
In a series of unprecedented weather events, several Gulf countries, including Oman, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Qatar, and Ras al-Khaimah, have been hit by heavy flooding. The recent downpours have resulted in significant disruptions and tragic losses, with at least 18 lives claimed in Oman since the heavy rains began on Monday.
Aerial rescuers in Oman have saved at least 75 people from the floodwaters, but nine schoolchildren and three adults lost their lives when their vehicles were swept away by sudden floods. In the UAE, one death was reported in the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah due to floods, as confirmed by local police.
The flooding has caused widespread damage, with abandoned cars continuing to float in waterlogged neighbourhoods in Dubai on Wednesday. Schools in the UAE have been closed and will remain so today, as more heavy rain is expected. The government has also extended remote work for its employees until Wednesday.
The Mall of the Emirates was affected by the floods, as mentioned in a social media post. Dubai International Airport, one of the world's busiest, experienced disruptions, with some flights diverted or suspended for 25 minutes due to the storm's chaos. The Asian Champions League semi-final between Emirati club Al-Ain and Saudi club Al-Hilal was postponed by 24 hours as a result of the adverse weather conditions.
The heavy rainfall in the UAE is the highest ever recorded in the country since records began in 1949, according to authorities. This extreme weather event underscores the increasing risks of flooding in arid Gulf regions due to climate change.
Traditionally arid, the Gulf countries face unique challenges in handling sudden heavy rainfall, with their typically dry environment making the soil and urban infrastructure less capable of handling such events, leading to flash flooding. Rising sea levels due to climate change can also worsen coastal flooding risks for low-lying cities in these countries.
Scientists have warned that climate change could cause changes in precipitation patterns, including in Gulf countries. Recent studies suggest that the region could experience sporadic and sometimes intense increases in precipitation due to these changing weather patterns. However, specific recent incidents and impact studies for these Gulf countries are not widely covered in available research.
Maryam Al Shehhi of the National Center of Meteorology in the UAE stated that the country did not resort to cloud seeding during the storm, as the storm was already strong, and cloud seeding technology was not deployed. The National Center of Meteorology urged residents to take all precautions and stay away from flooded areas.
As the Gulf countries continue to grapple with the impacts of climate change, ongoing monitoring by regional meteorological organizations and climate research centers is crucial to understand and mitigate the risks associated with these extreme weather events.
- The flooding in Gulf countries, such as Oman and the UAE, highlights the potential threats of climate change on environmental science, as changing precipitation patterns could lead to sporadic and intense rainfall in arid regions.
- In the face of increasing climate-change risks, a thorough understanding of weather patterns is critical for these countries, as it can help mitigate the dangers posed by extreme weather events, such as the recent flooding.
