Heavy rains have wreaked havoc in Dubai, where former T-Ara member Soyeon now lives. Record-breaking downpours have flooded the streets and threatened to disrupt airport operations. Soyeon shared a photo on social media revealing her home inundated by the deluge.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening in Dubai.
Dubai’s recent record-breaking rainfall has unfortunately impacted Soyeon, who lives there due to her husband, soccer player Jo Yu Min, who transferred to Sharjah FC in the UAE. On April 16, she took to social media, sharing photos of her flooded home’s walls with a worried caption, “Is my house okay?”. Images of Dubai’s waterlogged streets accompanied her post, vividly depicting the city’s struggle with the downpour.
Soyeon revealed that the rain was artificial, adding that the UAE has been conducting artificial rainfall experiments for the past 20 years and has planned around 300 trials for this year as well.
Dubai barely sees any rain throughout the year. With an annual average rainfall of less than 100mm (about 4 inches), it is considered one of the driest countries in the world. The UAE began experimenting with artificial rainfall in the 1990s and started implementing it in earnest in 2017.
Experts have cited climate change-induced weather anomalies as the reason behind the recent deluge in Dubai. Some have also suggested that artificial rainfall could be to blame.
On April 16, two years’ worth of rain fell in Dubai in just one day. Over 12 hours, a staggering 160mm (about 6.3 inches) of rain fell. The rainfall in a single day was equivalent to the annual rainfall usually observed in Dubai. Some areas even saw more than 200mm (about 7.9 inches) of rain.
Meteorologist Nahal Belgerzeh stated, “Dubai’s annual average rainfall is 89mm (about 3.5 inches). This downpour is a historic event in this region.”
CNN reported that tropical downpours due to climate change are becoming more frequent in Dubai. They analyzed the accumulated moisture due to global warming, which is turning into extreme floods and pouring out all at once.
Dubai transformed into a city in gridlock as a sudden, record-breaking downpour unleashed its fury. Roads crumbled under the deluge, while landslides added to the mayhem. Streets became raging rivers, immobilizing cars and forcing drivers to abandon their vehicles and seek higher ground. The usually bustling 12-lane highway became a parking lot of stranded cars, further crippling traffic flow.
The heavy rainfall caused water to seep into shopping malls, subway stations, and homes, throwing Dubai into chaos.
Dubai residents are taking to social media to document the chaos caused by the record-breaking rainfall. Startling videos show citizens scrambling out of stalled cars, while scenes of crowded and confused commuters at subway stations highlight the disruption to public transportation. Limited subway service adds to the city’s woes.
Some citizens were seen sitting on the streets with seemingly resigned expressions, and there were even sightings of people jet skiing on the roads.
Dubai Airport, a major global travel hub, descended into chaos as the downpour intensified. Floodwaters inundated runways, stranded passenger planes, and forced the cancellation or delay of over 500 flights. The situation grew more dire when Emirates, Dubai’s flagship carrier, halted all check-ins. Adding to the travel nightmare, most roads leading to the airport became impassable due to flooding.
The Asian Champions League semi-final between UAE Al Ain and Saudi Arabia Hilal was postponed for 24 hours due to the heavy rain.
Although the rain has stopped in some areas, the aftermath continues. Schools are currently closed, and companies are implementing work-from-home policies. Dubai authorities are advising citizens to stay home as much as possible.
Dubai authorities, caught off guard by the record-breaking rainfall, scrambled to manage the deluge. Despite deploying emergency personnel for swift drainage, the sheer volume of water overwhelmed their efforts, leaving many areas flooded.
Dubai authorities are currently working to recover from the flood damage. They are doing their best to restore Dubai International Airport. Areas without proper drainage infrastructure are still struggling.
The UAE National Weather Center declared this the worst downpour in 75 years, exceeding records dating back to 1949. The deluge extended beyond Dubai, causing flooding in neighboring Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Tragically, these floods claimed lives – one person died in the UAE, and 19 perished in Oman.
All public institutions and businesses in Oman’s five provinces have suspended operations, and schools have been closed.
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