Due to the unusual rainfall, Dubai came to a complete halt, which resulted in flooding throughout the United Arab Emirates and their neighbouring territories. A number of things were affected as a result of the deluge, including the flooding of luxury shopping centres, the closing of schools, and the redirection of flights.
Unprecedented Rainfall:
The amount of precipitation that fell in Dubai was so intense that it was equivalent to more than a year and a half’s worth of rainfall in only one day. In addition to causing significant floods in a number of different regions, the deluge was accompanied by intense thunderstorms, which rendered the city inoperable.
Impact on Luxury Malls:
Iconic shopping centres such as Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates were not spared from the floods that occurred in various locations. Water made its way into high-end businesses such as Chanel and Fendi, harming both the merchandise and the infrastructure of the establishments. These famous outlets were the subject of viral films that showed workers struggling to remove water from them.
Disruption of Transportation:
Water levels reached ankle-deep in Dubai Metro stations as a result of the floods, which caused major disruptions to the organisation of transit networks. The runway at Dubai International Airport, which is one of the busiest hubs in the world, was flooded, which resulted in flight diversions and brief halts in operations.
The closure of workplaces and schools:
Due to the unfavourable weather conditions, schools in the United Arab Emirates stayed closed for a period of two days, highlighting the need of ensuring the safety of both children and staff. In addition, the government of Dubai has given its employees the instruction to work from home on Wednesday in order to reduce the hazards that are involved with commuting.
Social Media Response:
An overwhelming number of videos and photographs documenting the intensity of the flood were uploaded to social media sites by locals. The issues that commuters encounter in the midst of the pandemonium were brought to light by the lengthy traffic backups that occurred on Sheikh Zayed Road, which is a major artery connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Rainfall Statistics and Their Impact on the Region:
559 inches of rainfall was reported in Dubai, which is significantly higher than the city’s yearly normal of 3.73 inches. Not only did the storms touch down on the United Arab Emirates, but they also touched down on neighbouring territories such as Bahrain and Qatar. In particular, Oman was hit by devastating floods, which resulted in the deaths of eighteen people and left a large number of others stranded as a result of the severe rain.
Government’s response and safety measures:
The Dubai administration took precautionary measures in reaction to the crisis, which included the closure of schools and the implementation of remote work arrangements. Moreover, the authorities made efforts to reduce the amount of flooding and to minimise the amount of additional interruptions to everyday life.
The fact that Dubai and the surrounding areas have experienced rainfall on a scale never seen before highlights the susceptibility of urban centres to the occurrence of extreme weather phenomena. The floods caused disruptions in transportation, trade, and everyday routines, which prompted the government to take fast action to safeguard the safety of the general population. This occurrence serves as a reminder of the significance of being resilient and prepared for disasters in order to deal with the issues that are associated with climate change.