On April 16, the UAE experienced unprecedented levels of rain, plunging the typically dry and scorching nation into chaos. The country experienced a record years-worth of rain in one single day, unleashing immense flash flooding that transformed roads into rivers and disrupted businesses, bringing the buzzing city to a standstill. By the end of Tuesday, more than 142 millimeters of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours— to put it into perspective, an average year sees about 94.7 millimeters. According to a report from CNBC, the the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) denied reports of carrying out cloud-seeding trips— in which small aircrafts or drones release rain-enhancing agents into clouds—to increase rainfall.
In Dubai, the primary aim of cloud seeding is to increase precipitation in the region, which naturally has a very arid climate with limited annual rainfall. This initiative is part of the UAE’s broader efforts to address water scarcity and enhance the availability of fresh water in the country. Science journal Nature reports that the UAE has experienced a rise in rainfall in the last few years, and precipitation is expected to increase by 15%-30% in the coming years. While more rain can be a good thing, it can also result in unintended and sometimes hazardous outcomes such as flooding, as seen in the UAE on Tuesday.
The scenes were almost apocalyptic. Pitch black skies at 12:00 P.M., the second-busiest airport in the world submerged underwater, vehicles abandoned by motorists as the floodwaters rose, fish swimming on pavements, and major shopping malls transformed into a chaotic scene as water surged through the entrance and gave a whole new meaning to splash sale. Scroll down to discover some of the most surreal scenes from the Dubai downpour on social media.
Is this what Travis Scott meant when he said he was jet skiing in Dubai?
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Gotham City
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Habibi, come to Dubai…
Dubai Airport right now
pic.twitter.com/FX992PQvAU— Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) April 16, 2024
Ridin’ dirty
Dubai flood is crazy but he making the best out of the situation pic.twitter.com/0DjSOxWBax
— Modern Notoriety (@ModernNotoriety) April 17, 2024
Drip or drown
Dubai mall flooding, pic.twitter.com/C9qwpLfDI5
— LIONE$$ (@The_Lioness13) April 16, 2024
Is that my bestie in a Tessie?
🚨Heavy rain in Dubai causes flash floods.
Video :24#Dubai #dubaiflood #flood #flooding #heavyrainspic.twitter.com/H2p1Jk5aB3
— Priyathosh Agnihamsa (@priyathosh6447) April 17, 2024
Quite the oar-deal
@user505000005 🛶 Pt.2 #dubai #explore ♬ Rain – N E H A ✨
Ariana what are you doing here!?
@berto.brownWalking outside after the worst rain storm in Dubai. 🐟🎣♬ original sound – Berto_brown
Meanwhile in Abu Dhabi
Wateroverlast kan ook heel leuk zijn 😎😂 #Dubaifloods #khalifa pic.twitter.com/sTOzyizqGD
— MiepjevVerkade (@miepjev) April 17, 2024
