Schools and offices closed due to heavy rain in the desert of UAE

Heavy rains returned to the United Arab Emirates just two weeks after record downpours that experts linked to climate change. Schools and many offices were closed across the country as a lightning storm with high winds swept across the oil-rich monarchy overnight. The National Center of Meteorology reported more than 50 millimetres of rain falling in some areas before 8am. Flooding was seen in parts of Dubai, with the airport cancelling flights and diverting others.
State-owned Emirates and flydubai warned passengers of delays as a result of the inclement weather. Schools switched to remote learning and public-sector offices closed due to the heavy rains. The situation was not as severe as the previous record-breaking downpour on April 16, which resulted in four deaths, major road blockages, and flight cancellations. Despite the decreased intensity, Dubai’s highways were nearly empty and flooded roads near Ibn Battuta mall were littered with abandoned cars.
Trucks were deployed to pump water from flooded areas as Dubai’s drainage system struggled to cope with the large-scale rainfall. Last month’s downpour, which also caused fatalities in Oman, was the heaviest on record in the UAE since 1949. World Weather Attribution, a network of scientists, concluded that climate change likely played a role in exacerbating the extreme weather event. The deluge was attributed to global warming caused by fossil fuel consumption.
The heavy rains in the UAE are a vivid example of the direct impact climate change can have on daily life. The inability of infrastructure to handle the increased rainfall highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions to combat climate change. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, governments and communities must prioritize adaptation and mitigation strategies to protect lives and infrastructure. The closure of schools and offices due to the rains underscores the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
The response to the heavy rains in Dubai and the UAE serves as a wake-up call for the region and the world at large. Governments, businesses, and individuals must work together to address the root causes of climate change and build a more sustainable and resilient future. By investing in green infrastructure, renewable energy, and climate adaptation measures, we can mitigate the impact of extreme weather events and protect our planet for future generations. The recent downpours in the UAE are a stark reminder of the urgency of taking bold and decisive action to combat climate change and ensure a safe and prosperous future for all.