Unprecedented storms cause catastrophic flooding in Dubai and Oman

Recent storms in Dubai and neighbouring Oman have unleashed unprecedented rainfall, resulting in catastrophic flooding, widespread traffic disruptions, and tragic loss of lives. The storms, which intensified around 9 a.m. local time yesterday, brought the heaviest rain ever recorded in the desert nation of the UAE, plunging Dubai into chaos as major highways turned into submerged waterways, leaving vehicles stranded.

In Oman, the death toll from heavy flooding has risen to 18, with additional individuals reported missing as the sultanate braces for further impact from the impending storm. The downpour began overnight, leading to extensive flooding on streets and creating turmoil at Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest hub for international travel.

The storms have prompted the closure of schools, disrupted daily life, and presented challenges for emergency services and law enforcement personnel navigating the flooded streets. Experts attribute the heavy rainfall in both Dubai and Oman to a meteorological phenomenon intensified by climate change, emphasising the role of rising global temperatures in exacerbating extreme weather events like intense rainfall.

The events in Dubai and Oman underscore the urgent need for climate action and preparedness in the face of increasingly severe and unpredictable weather patterns.

Background

The history of rainfall in Dubai and Oman is marked by their arid desert climates, where precipitation is scarce and typically occurs in brief, intense episodes. Both regions, situated on the Arabian Peninsula, are known for their hot and dry weather conditions for much of the year.

Dubai, located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), experiences an average annual rainfall of less than 100 millimetres. This makes it one of the driest areas globally. Rainfall events in Dubai are infrequent, but when they do happen, they often manifest as sudden and heavy downpours. These showers are often associated with thunderstorms and can lead to localised flooding due to the region’s limited drainage systems.

Similarly, Oman, positioned on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, has a desert climate characterised by high temperatures and low precipitation. The average annual rainfall in Oman varies across regions, with coastal areas receiving more rainfall than the interior desert regions. In Muscat, the capital city of Oman, the average annual rainfall is around 100 millimetres. However, in the southern region of Dhofar, rainfall can exceed 300 millimetres annually.

Despite the arid climate, both Dubai and Oman have experienced rare instances of heavy rainfall and flooding in recent years. These events are often attributed to meteorological anomalies or extreme weather patterns, such as tropical cyclones or convective thunderstorms, which can bring intense rainfall to the region.

In recent times, climate change has also been linked to more frequent and intense rainfall events in arid regions like Dubai and Oman. Rising global temperatures can lead to changes in atmospheric circulation patterns, resulting in unpredictable weather phenomena and increased variability in rainfall patterns.

Overall, while rainfall in Dubai and Oman remains relatively low compared to other regions, occasional heavy rainfall events underscore the vulnerability of these arid landscapes to extreme weather and highlight the importance of preparedness and infrastructure development to mitigate the impacts of flooding.

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