The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recently experienced severe flooding, as seen in before-and-after satellite photos shared by the Earth Observatory. Just a few days of torrential rain, equivalent to a year’s worth of precipitation, have caused extensive flash flooding, disrupting transportation and roads. Neighboring Oman was also affected, with authorities reporting fatalities, including 10 children who were swept away while traveling in a vehicle.
Satellite imagery from the Landsat 9 Earth observation satellite starkly illustrates the extent of the flooding in the UAE on April 19. Jebel Ali, a town southwest of Dubai, was completely dry on April 3 but was inundated with floodwater just a few days later. Similar flooding occurred to the south of the town’s port and near Palm Jebel Ali, according to the NASA Earth Observatory.
The UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi, was also severely impacted by the storms. Satellite images show that the city and its surroundings were completely dry on April 3, but by April 19, flooding was evident along the major thoroughfare Sheikh Zayed Road, which connects Dubai to Abu Dhabi. Numerous other flooded areas can be seen across residential neighborhoods in satellite images.
The storms, caused by multiple low pressure systems, first hit Oman on April 14 and then moved into the UAE, bringing heavy rainfall to Dubai City, which received over 5 inches of rain on April 15 alone. Over 4 inches of rain fell at Dubai airport on April 16, leading to temporary flight disruptions, the NASA Earth Observatory said. In some eastern parts of the UAE, an astonishing 10 inches of rain fell within 24 hours. Such rainfall is extremely rare in the Emirates, where annual precipitation typically ranges from 5.5 to 8 inches.
While the storm’s intensity has subsided, some areas of the UAE are still experiencing disruptions. The unusually heavy rainfall has raised concerns about the potential role of cloud seeding, a practice employed by the UAE to increase precipitation. However, it is more likely that the extreme weather is a manifestation of climate change, which is increasing the frequency and severity of storms worldwide. Recent studies have indicated that the global temperature is on track to exceed average levels this year.
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