Last week, the United Arab Emirates experienced a catastrophic event when record rainfall hit the country, causing dangerous floods that paralyzed much of the region. NASA recently released photos of parts of Dubai and Abu Dhabi before and after the storms, showcasing the devastating impact of the extreme weather conditions.
The images taken by NASA Earth Observatory using Landsat data reveal large patches of water covering the desert and urban landscape of the UAE. The images show an almost surreal sight of what appears to be small lakes appearing where previously there were none. Flash floods on April 16 led to cars being engulfed by water, forcing hundreds of drivers to abandon their vehicles and seek refuge from the rising water levels.
The UAE was hit with roughly a year’s worth of rain in less than a day, exceeding any previous records for a single storm since 1949 when records for the UAE began. The aftermath of the deluge closed schools and businesses, grounded flights, and wreaked havoc on daily life for residents. The National Center for Meteorology reported that some parts of the country received up to 250 millimeters of rain in less than 24 hours, compared to the average annual rainfall of 5.5 to 8 inches.
Due to a lack of drainage infrastructure and the extensive paving over of urban spaces, much of the water had nowhere to go, exacerbating the flooding in many areas. Clean-up efforts are ongoing, but numerous problems still persist in areas where infrastructure has been severely damaged. Many residents are still without running water or electricity, and buildings have suffered structural damage from the storm.
In response to the crisis, the UAE’s central bank has issued a directive to local banks and insurance companies to allow loan repayment deferrals of six months. This measure is aimed at providing some relief to flood-hit residents and businesses as they work towards recovery. One multi-story apartment building near the Dubai-Sharjah border has been evacuated due to structural damage from the storm, underscoring the extent of the destruction caused by the record rainfall.
Overall, the aftermath of the record rainfall in the UAE serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and devastating impact of extreme weather events. As the country continues its recovery efforts and addresses the challenges posed by the floods, there is a pressing need for enhanced infrastructure and disaster preparedness to mitigate the impact of future natural disasters.
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