Heavy rains caused severe delays in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday, with extensive flooding reported along major roadways and impacting operations at the city-state’s primary airport.
According to reports, the flooding began overnight, converting normally dry streets into massive ponds and airport runways. Dubai International Airport, a global hub for international travel and home to Emirates Airlines, saw flight delays compounded by whipping winds accompanying the downpour.
Airport authorities ordered a brief halt to all operations for about 25 minutes on Tuesday afternoon, followed by the diversion of all incoming planes until weather conditions eased, as relayed via official social media platforms.
By evening, the UAE had received more than 4.75 inches of rain, a volume generally seen over a year in the desert nation, with more expected in the coming hours. Rainfall was also observed in neighbouring Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, demonstrating the storm’s significant impact over the region.
The National Committee for Emergency Management in Oman, on the eastern border of the Arabian Peninsula, issued a statement confirming the devastating impact of recent severe rains. At least 18 people were killed, including about ten youngsters who sadly died on Monday after being swept away in a vehicle with an adult.
The occurrence demonstrates the rising frequency and severity of extreme weather events linked to human-caused climate change, a concern shared by climatologists around the world. Beyond the Arabian Peninsula, southern Russia and Central Asia have experienced comparable destructive weather patterns, marked by abnormally high levels of rainfall and melting. These conditions have caused the evacuation of tens of thousands of people and resulted in fatalities, including over 60 in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
As communities around the world deal with the consequences of climate change-induced weather extremes, the critical need for proactive steps to lessen the damage and adapt to emerging environmental issues becomes more obvious.
The COP28 climate change conference was held in Dubai in November 2023, generating major controversy and debate, particularly given Dubai’s role as one of the top ten oil-producing countries.