Dubai Airport has been shut down, as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) country faces extensive disruptions caused by heavy rainfall on Tuesday.
It was gathered that the rainfall led to widespread flooding on main roads and impacted activities at the Dubai Airport.
Multiple reports claimed that the flooding began during the night, causing the usually dry streets to turn into extensive ponds and airport tarmacs. Dubai International Airport, a major global travel hub and the base of Emirates Airlines, faced flight disruptions worsened by strong winds that accompanied the heavy rain.
The airport officials declared a brief halt to all activities lasting around 25 minutes on Tuesday afternoon, then proceeded to redirect all incoming flights until the weather conditions had improved, as relayed through official social media platforms.
By evening, the UAE had accumulated over 4.75 inches of rainfall, a volume typically seen over a year in the desert nation, with more precipitation anticipated in the ensuing hours. Additionally, rainfall was reported in nearby Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, indicating the widespread impact of the storm across the region.
What You Should Know
The National Committee for Emergency Management in Oman, located on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, issued a statement verifying the devastating impact of the recent heavy rainfall. A minimum of 18 deaths were reported, with around 10 schoolchildren tragically losing their lives on Monday when they were swept away in a vehicle with an adult.
The occurrence shows the rising occurrence and intensity of extreme weather occurrences linked to climate change caused by human activities, a matter that is echoed by climatologists across the globe. Apart from the Arabian Peninsula, areas like southern Russia and Central Asia have also faced comparable destructive weather patterns, marked by abnormally high levels of precipitation and snow thawing. These circumstances have compelled the relocation of tens of thousands of individuals and led to casualties, including more than 60 fatalities in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
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As communities across the globe confront the repercussions of climate change-induced weather extremes, the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate the impact and adapt to evolving environmental challenges becomes increasingly apparent.
The COP28 conference on climate change occurred in Dubai in November 2023, leading to substantial deliberations and discourse, particularly given Dubai’s position as one of the leading oil-producing nations in the world.
Is Artificial Rain Behind UAE’s Rare Torrential Weather?
Inside the terminal, the scenes were chaotic, with reports of families stranded and some people being turned away due to overcrowding. Witnesses described the flooding as reaching ‘Biblical levels,’ with more than 4.7 inches of rain falling before 4 pm, matching the typical yearly average. Roads around the airport were submerged, and wealthy drivers in luxury cars were seen ‘floating’ through the flooded streets.
Meteorological reports indicate that approximately 20 millimeters (0.79 inches) of rain drenched Dubai late Monday, with the city accumulating more than 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rain by the end of the day. This amount far exceeds Dubai’s average annual rainfall of 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) at its international airport.
Understanding Cloud Seeding
Cloud seeding is a technique that involves introducing “seeding agents” into clouds to stimulate the condensation process and trigger rainfall. The process begins with weather forecasters at the NCM monitoring atmospheric conditions and identifying suitable clouds for seeding based on precipitation patterns.
Cloud seeding was first tested in the UAE in 1982. By the early 2000s, the nation’s artificial rain program had been strengthened through collaborative scientific and technical research partnerships with the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Colorado, USA, Witwatersrand University in South Africa, and NASA.
The program is spearheaded by UAEREP, which is managed by the Emirates’ National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). The scientists leading this initiative have concentrated their efforts on examining the physical and chemical properties of the atmosphere in the UAE, specifically aerosols and pollutants, and how they impact the formation of clouds. The objective was to discover a potent catalyst that could enhance cloud development and ultimately increase rainfall.
Environmental Concerns
Despite the potential benefits of cloud seeding, concerns have been raised about its environmental impact and the safety of the seeding agents used. In response, the NCM has taken measures to ensure the safety and sustainability of its operations.
The cloud seeding initiatives in the UAE differ from those in other countries as they avoid the use of silver iodide, a crystal-like substance that has raised environmental concerns. Instead, the UAE’s program utilizes natural salts as seeding agents, ensuring the absence of harmful chemicals.
The UAE’s innovative approach to combat its water crisis through cloud seeding demonstrates its commitment to finding sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. As the effects of climate change become increasingly pronounced, initiatives like UAEREP serve as examples of proactive measures that nations can take to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events.
