What’s going on? How badly affected is the city? – First comment

Severe weather conditions have returned to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the second time in a month, prompting an orange alert to be issued.

A series of preventive measures were implemented following the heavy rains and thunderstorms that affected daily life in the region.

Several flights in and out of Dubai, the world’s second-busiest international airport, were canceled and delayed, and people and students were ordered to work and study from home.

The storm comes just two weeks after historic levels of rainfall caused damaging flooding in several parts of the country and neighboring Oman.

So what is happening in the Emirates? We’ll see.

Heavy rains return to the United Arab Emirates

According to local media, Dubai residents woke up to strong winds, thunder and lightning around 3 a.m. Thursday.

according to The times of India, According to the Meteorological Office, rain clouds first appeared late at night in the Al Dhafra and Al Sila areas, west of Abu Dhabi.

These conditions extended to the western islands of Abu Dhabi around 1:30 a.m., where moderate to heavy rain and small hail occurred.

By 0130 hours, these conditions had extended to the western islands of Abu Dhabi, where moderate to heavy rain and small hail were observed. The United Arab Emirates recorded 34 millimeters in 24 hours. This is four times more than you would normally receive in April and May.

The overnight rains intensified, with strong winds, thunder and lightning in areas such as Dubai, where lightning was observed as early as 2.35am, the report said.

Although the rains were not as intense as two weeks ago, the city received 20 millimeters of rain in 12 hours, double what it usually receives in April and May.

According cnn, Videos from Ras Al-Khaimah showed palm trees bending due to strong winds and heavy rain on Thursday. Lightning was also observed in the city.

Waterlogging was reported in parts of Abu Dhabi, with strong winds at Jebel Ali, Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai Industrial City, Dubai Investments Park and Jumeirah Village Triangle. India today they quoted local media.

According to local media, adverse weather conditions were expected to prevail in the country until Friday, May 3.

Also read: Families stranded, without food or water: how Dubai airport fell into chaos after the floods

Services affected

According to the Khaleej TimesFive arriving flights to Dubai were diverted overnight, while nine arriving and four departing flights were cancelled.

Emirates, the major airline, was also forced to cancel several flights due to poor weather conditions, the report said.

Flight operations at Dubai International Airport (DXB) were also affected.

On May 1, Dubai airports and local airlines issued advisories to passengers, asking them to prepare for delays when heading to Dubai International Airport.

In addition, intercity bus services were suspended as several roads were closed to mitigate the risks of accidents due to waterlogging and slippery conditions, according to TOI.

Emergency services are also on high alert.

The Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporation (PCFC) announced the temporary suspension of accepting applications for entry and exit of wooden dhows in Dubai. The PCFC has also advised boaters to avoid boating during this time to ensure everyone’s safety, according to PTI.

All sports activities and competitions organized by the Sharjah Sports Council were canceled and authorities ordered the closure of all parks until May 3.

Also read: Did artificial rain created by the UAE cause a flood fiasco in Dubai?

Better prepared

On Wednesday, the country’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) raised the readiness and preparedness levels of the national system to deal with the situation.

The United Arab Emirates had issued a warning for medium to heavy rain for two days until Thursday.

Office goers were encouraged to work from home and schools in Sharjah and Dubai were advised to opt for distance learning, according to Khaleej Times.

The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) also issued an advisory to residents, urging them to exercise caution.

“Avoid driving unless absolutely necessary. If necessary, drive with caution and remain attentive and alert to ensure the safety of all road users,” the alert says, adding that motorists use low beams to improve visibility during heavy rain.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, in coordination with NCEMA, also decided to close all roads leading to areas prone to flash floods, water logging and dams during extreme weather conditions.

People were asked to stay away from beaches, mountains and deserts.

According to a cnn Journalist, workers opened drains in the streets before the rain. Emergency notifications were sent to residents, warning them to stay indoors.

What’s behind the bad weather?

Typically known for its desert climate, rainfall is rare in the United Arab Emirates.

The region’s dry climate causes summer temperatures to exceed 50 degrees Celsius, according to mint.

Therefore, when heavy rain and thunderstorms flooded its regions in April, many believed that cloud seeding, a process the UAE frequently performs, could be the reason.

However, climate experts attribute these extreme weather events to global warming.

According cnnA group of 21 scientists and researchers working on the World Weather Attribution initiative say extreme rainfall events in the two countries, which typically occur during El Niño years, are becoming between 10 and 40 percent more intense due to the climate change than they would have been. been in the absence of global warming.

Researchers predict that in the future some areas of the Gulf region could experience higher temperatures, more humidity and greater danger of flooding due to climate change.

Heavy rains in April

On April 14 and 15, extreme rains hit regions of the Arabian Peninsula, with Dubai experiencing the heaviest rain on record since 1949, according to The Associated Press.

At least four people died in the United Arab Emirates and at least 19 others in neighboring Oman, including 10 children whose school bus was swept away by the deluge, according to cnn.

Floods two weeks ago quickly overwhelmed the UAE’s drainage systems and inundated neighborhoods, commercial districts and even parts of the 12-lane Sheikh Zayed Highway, which links Dubai and the neighboring emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Many residents lost their belongings when their homes were flooded and many cars were destroyed.

Numerous flights were suspended and traffic operations were also affected as major highways and Dubai International Airport were flooded. The airport ended up needing 22 tanker trucks with vacuum pumps to remove water from its grounds.

With contributions from agencies