Stay updated on the latest news about the devastating floods in Oman and Dubai.
Unprecedented rainfall has paralyzed cities in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, resulting in at least 19 fatalities in Oman and disruptions at Dubai’s airport.
In the U.A.E., residents were advised to remain indoors as images of submerged cars on congested roads and planes navigating flooded runways in Dubai circulated online. Meanwhile, Muscat, Oman’s capital, transformed into a torrential river due to flash floods.
Experts attribute this extreme downpour to a regular weather system intensified by climate change.
The storm hit Oman on Sunday, prompting closures of schools and government offices. By Wednesday, the heavy rains had subsided, but caution was still advised.
Certain regions in Oman received over 230 millimeters of rain between Sunday and Wednesday, far exceeding the average annual rainfall in Muscat. The death toll reached 19 by Wednesday morning, including tragic losses of schoolchildren.
The U.A.E. experienced its most significant rainfall in 75 years on Tuesday, with one area receiving 255 millimeters of rain in less than a day.
Dubai International Airport faced delays and diversions, urging travelers to avoid the airport. Operations were briefly halted, impacting Emirates’ services.
Recovery efforts are ongoing, with disruptions expected to persist for some time.
Despite speculation about cloud seeding contributing to the extreme weather, experts dismiss this claim as unlikely.
The extreme weather conditions in Oman and Dubai have sparked discussions about climate change and disaster preparedness.
2024-04-17 18:24:38
Link from www.nytimes.com