The weather of United Arab Emirates (UAE) has once again caught the attention of the world. Heavy rains on Friday created flood-like conditions in major cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. After the roads were flooded, the administration appealed to the people to stay indoors, due to which life came to a standstill in large parts of the country. This phenomenon is especially important because much of the UAE is desert, and rainfall is generally very low.
Flood situation in UAE
Heavy rain events are not common in the UAE, and this type of heavy rain is raising new concerns. Last year also in 2024, there were floods in some parts of Dubai and Abu Dhabi due to heavy rains. This time also the same situation was seen. Dubai received heavy rain from Thursday night to Friday, while Abu Dhabi also received rain and storm. Due to this, many low-lying areas were flooded on Friday. Videos from the Northern Emirates showed water flowing in the streets. Officials appealed to motorists to avoid these areas.
Government instructions and precautionary measures
The government in Dubai on Friday directed government employees to work from home, while appealing to the private sector to do the same. People in Abu Dhabi were asked to stay at home until 2 pm on Friday. Public beaches, parks and tourist attractions were temporarily closed as a precaution. Such actions made it clear that the UAE’s infrastructure was not designed for such weather conditions.
flood related problems
Much of the UAE’s infrastructure is designed for dry conditions, but when heavy rainfall occurs in a short period of time, drainage systems fail to function. The floods in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in April last year exposed the weaknesses of urban planning. This time also it was seen that within no time the roads and underpasses were filled with water. This makes the need even more clear that cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi urgently need climate-friendly infrastructure.
Impact outside UAE also
The impact of weather conditions in the UAE was felt outside it as well. FIFA Arab Cup playoff match forced to be abandoned due to heavy rain in Doha, Qatar. This decision was taken due to lightning near the stadium. Apart from this, many flights between UAE and Doha have either been canceled or postponed for some time.
Let us tell you that this development has proved that due to increasing incidents of climate change and changes in weather, new challenges are emerging around the world.
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