United Arab Emirates faces challenges in recovery following heaviest rainfall on record in desert nation

The United Arab Emirates is grappling with the aftermath of the heaviest recorded rainfall ever to hit the desert nation, causing widespread flooding and chaos in its major cities. Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, is slowly resuming operations after being severely impacted by the storm.

The airport allowed global carriers to fly into Terminal 1 on Thursday morning, but flights continue to be delayed and disrupted. The long-haul carrier Emirates had temporarily halted check-ins for outgoing flights as they struggled to accommodate connecting passengers. Travelers faced hours-long waits to retrieve their baggage, with some giving up and heading home or to nearby hotels.

The UAE, known for its arid desert climate, received an unprecedented amount of rainfall, with over 142 millimeters soaking Dubai in just 24 hours. The drainage systems were overwhelmed, leading to flooding in neighborhoods, business districts, and major highways like the Sheikh Zayed Road.

Authorities have described the rainfall as a “historic weather event” that surpassed anything documented since 1949. The UAE’s leaders have pledged to assess the damage and work on improving infrastructure to prevent future disasters.

The flooding has raised concerns about the impact of climate change, with experts attributing the intense storms to global warming. The UAE’s aggressive cloud seeding program, aimed at inducing rainfall, has also come under scrutiny, although experts believe the storm systems were the primary cause of the deluge.

As the nation works to recover from the devastating floods, residents are urged to exercise caution and stay informed about the ongoing situation. The UAE’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and adapt to more extreme weather events in the future.