Heavy rains cause rare flooding in Dubai
World
In Dubai (UAE) on April 16, severe flooding began due to heavy rainfall. City streets turned into rivers, and homes, offices, and shopping centres were flooded, while Dubai Airport, where planes were virtually "floating," canceled some flights. This is reported by CNBC.
According to meteorological observations, nearly 100 mm of precipitation fell in just 12 hours in Dubai on Tuesday—about as much as the city usually records for the entire year, according to UN information.
Dubai, like the rest of the United Arab Emirates, has a hot and dry climate. Precipitation is infrequent, and the city's infrastructure was unable to cope with the natural disaster.
The downpour was so intense, and the water level rose so quickly, that roads turned into rivers, forcing some motorists to abandon their vehicles.
Social media videos showed water flooding the ground floors of homes, offices, and shopping centres in Dubai.
The situation was also challenging at Dubai International Airport, recently recognized as the second busiest airport in the world. The runway was almost entirely submerged, and airplanes had to literally swim through the waves like boats.
Ultimately, the airport temporarily cancelled the arrival of incoming flights "due to exceptional weather conditions." Departure flights have not yet been cancelled.
Experts warn that such natural disasters will become more frequent due to anthropogenic climate change. As the atmosphere continues to warm, it can absorb more moisture, like a towel, and then squeeze it out in the form of heavy precipitation and flooding.
Dubai, like the rest of the United Arab Emirates, has a hot and dry climate. Precipitation is infrequent, and the city's infrastructure was unable to cope with the natural disaster.
The downpour was so intense, and the water level rose so quickly, that roads turned into rivers, forcing some motorists to abandon their vehicles.
Social media videos showed water flooding the ground floors of homes, offices, and shopping centres in Dubai.
The situation was also challenging at Dubai International Airport, recently recognized as the second busiest airport in the world. The runway was almost entirely submerged, and airplanes had to literally swim through the waves like boats.
Ultimately, the airport temporarily cancelled the arrival of incoming flights "due to exceptional weather conditions." Departure flights have not yet been cancelled.
Experts warn that such natural disasters will become more frequent due to anthropogenic climate change. As the atmosphere continues to warm, it can absorb more moisture, like a towel, and then squeeze it out in the form of heavy precipitation and flooding.
Powered by Froala Editor