n April 2024, a slow-moving storm system brought an unprecedented amount of rain to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), causing severe flash floods that inundated cities, disrupted transportation, and left parts of the country grappling with extensive water damage. Some areas received more rainfall in just a few days than they typically experience in an entire year.
The system first struck Oman on April 14 and made its way to the UAE, where it continued to unleash heavy rain until April 16. According to Michael Mann, a climate scientist from the University of Pennsylvania, the event was caused by three low-pressure systems that moved slowly along the jet stream, creating a "storm train" effect over the Persian Gulf. This powerful weather system brought multiple rounds of intense rain and strong winds to the northern and eastern parts of the UAE.
The severity of the flooding became evident on April 19, when NASA's Landsat 9 satellite captured the aftermath in Jebel Ali, a city located 35 kilometers (22 miles) southwest of Dubai. False-color images from the Operational Land Imager 2 (OLI-2) revealed extensive flooding in industrial areas, around the port, and near the green resorts south of Palm Jebel Ali. The water appeared in bright blue on the satellite images, underscoring the vast scale of the inundation.
Abu Dhabi, the UAE's capital, also suffered significant flooding. Satellite imagery showed water covering major roads, including Sheikh Zayed Road, which connects Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Residential areas like Khalifa City and Zayed City, southeast of Abu Dhabi's center, were similarly affected, with floodwaters disrupting daily life and transportation.
The National Center of Meteorology in the UAE reported up to 250 millimeters (10 inches) of rainfall in some eastern parts of the country within 24 hours. To put this in perspective, the UAE typically receives between 140 and 200 millimeters (5.5 to 8 inches) of rain annually. Dubai International Airport recorded 119 millimeters (4.69 inches) of rainfall on April 16 alone, a figure that is 1.5 times its yearly average. The deluge led to temporary flight suspensions, causing delays at one of the world's busiest airports for international travel.
By April 18, the UAE was already working to recover from the devastating floods. Roads remained submerged, and water removal operations were underway in several locations. However, the scale of the flooding continued to impact daily activities. Dubai International Airport, for instance, was still facing flight delays, with inbound flights limited for 48 hours.
Despite rumors that cloud seeding—a process used to enhance rainfall—might have contributed to the deluge, experts have suggested otherwise. The storm system's natural intensity and slow movement were primarily responsible for the heavy rains and resulting floods.
The UAE is known for its arid, desert climate, making the April 2024 flooding a rare and historic event. This extraordinary rainfall has drawn attention to the changing climate patterns and the importance of preparedness for such extreme weather incidents. The government and emergency services mobilized to address the crisis, offering a glimpse into the challenges posed by severe weather events in desert regions.
The deluge in the UAE in April 2024 will go down as one of the most significant weather events in the country's recent history. With over a year's worth of rain falling in just a few days, the floods caused widespread disruption, affected critical infrastructure, and underscored the need for ongoing efforts in disaster response and climate adaptation. As the UAE continues its recovery, this event serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of extreme weather and its far-reaching impacts.
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