Unprecedented Rainfall Hits United Arab Emirates and Oman

Exceptional rainfall levels that hit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman recently have plunged both regions into chaos. Dubai, the glittering metropolis in the UAE, and surrounding areas have been inundated with more rain in a single day than they typically receive in over a year and a half, leading to widespread flooding and disruptions.

The state-run WAM news agency described the situation as a ‘historic weather event,’ surpassing any recorded since data collection began in 1949. Muscat, the capital of Oman, experienced about 230mm (9 inches) of rainfall between Sunday and Wednesday, far exceeding its average annual rainfall of about 100mm (4 inches).

Authorities reported that Dubai International Airport recorded nearly 127mm (5 inches) of rain in a single day, while the norm for an entire year is around 76mm (3 inches). The storm, which started in Oman before moving to the UAE, resulted in power outages, flight disruptions, and severe traffic congestion in the affected regions.

Experts at various meteorological institutions, including the UAE’s National Centre for Meteorology, have ruled out cloud seeding as the cause of the excessive rainfall. Although cloud seeding activities had been carried out in the days leading up to the downpours as part of water management efforts in the region, the precise reasons behind the unprecedented weather event are complex and likely related to climate change.

Climate scientists from prestigious institutions like The Australian National University, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and the University of Reading have noted that global warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events across the globe. The warming of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans, exacerbated by human-led climate change, can lead to heavier rainfall and other destructive weather phenomena.

In response to water scarcity and drought issues, governments in regions like the Western United States, where the Colorado River basin is heavily reliant on snowpack and rainfall for water supply, have invested in cloud seeding technology. Although cloud seeding remains a controversial method of weather modification, its application has expanded to numerous countries worldwide, including the United States, China, the United Arab Emirates, and more.