2024 Persian Gulf floods: Difference between revisions

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| affected = [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Oman]], [[Iran]], [[Bahrain]], [[Qatar]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Yemen]]
| affected = [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Oman]], [[Iran]], [[Bahrain]], [[Qatar]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Yemen]]
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
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[[File:Stockholms toaletter Norr Mälarstrand 2011a.jpg|thumb]]
In April 2024, heavy rain battered some [[Persian Gulf]] states, causing flash flooding across the region. Several states recorded nearly a year's worth of rain in a day. The floods had a significant impact across the region, with [[Oman]] and the [[United Arab Emirates]] being particularly affected,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/17/us/dubai-flood-rain-oman-deaths.html|title=Heavy Rain and Floods Kill 19 in Oman and Disrupt Dubai Airport|date=April 17, 2024|access-date=2024-04-17|website=The New York Times|language=en-US}}</ref> killing at least 20 people, 19 of whom were in Oman. Southeastern [[Iran]], as well as the [[Arab states of the Persian Gulf|Gulf states]] of [[Bahrain]], [[Qatar]], and the Eastern Province of [[Saudi Arabia]], also experienced heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding.
In April 2024, heavy rain battered some [[Persian Gulf]] states, causing flash flooding across the region. Several states recorded nearly a year's worth of rain in a day. The floods had a significant impact across the region, with [[Oman]] and the [[United Arab Emirates]] being particularly affected,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/17/us/dubai-flood-rain-oman-deaths.html|title=Heavy Rain and Floods Kill 19 in Oman and Disrupt Dubai Airport|date=April 17, 2024|access-date=2024-04-17|website=The New York Times|language=en-US}}</ref> killing at least 20 people, 19 of whom were in Oman. Southeastern [[Iran]], as well as the [[Arab states of the Persian Gulf|Gulf states]] of [[Bahrain]], [[Qatar]], and the Eastern Province of [[Saudi Arabia]], also experienced heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding.


Revision as of 06:14, 18 April 2024

2024 Persian Gulf floods
File:Dubai flood photo.webp
Floodwater covering a major road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Meteorological history
DurationApril 14 – present
Overall effects
Fatalities 19
1
DamageUnknown
Areas affectedUnited Arab Emirates, Oman, Iran, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen

In April 2024, heavy rain battered some Persian Gulf states, causing flash flooding across the region. Several states recorded nearly a year's worth of rain in a day. The floods had a significant impact across the region, with Oman and the United Arab Emirates being particularly affected,[1] killing at least 20 people, 19 of whom were in Oman. Southeastern Iran, as well as the Gulf states of Bahrain, Qatar, and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, also experienced heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding.

Background

The Persian Gulf region is known for hot and dry weather, though heavy rains causing flooding have also occurred with greater regularity in recent years.[2] Due to the arid desert climate and high temperatures, cloud seeding has been used in the United Arab Emirates in order to combat water scarcity.[3] Artificial rain making has been criticised for the environmental impact of using harmful seeding agents, but in the UAE natural salts are used as seeding agents instead of harmful chemicals like silver iodide.[4] As one of the hottest and driest regions on earth, the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science has been investing in innovative solutions to deal with expected water shortages in the country.[5] Some commentators have linked the unusual weather to climate change.[6] The region has been hit by heat waves and cyclones in recent years.[7]

Impact

Oman

In Oman, said at least 19 people had been killed due to the floods.[8] This included 10 schoolchildren and their driver whose vehicle was washed away by flood waters in Samad A’Shan on April 14.[9][10] Rescuers found the body of a girl in Saham.[11]

United Arab Emirates

The UAE witnessed a record-breaking rainfall in a 24 hour period, surpassing Emirati meteorological data since records began in 1949. According to the National Centre of Meteorology, the highest rainfall was recorded in the Khatm Al Shakla area in Al Ain, reaching 254.8 mm (10.03 in) in less than 24 hours.[12] Widespread flooding was reported in all seven emirates.[13] Ahead of the flooding, an estimated rainfall of 40 mm (1.6 in), up to 100 mm (3.9 in) was estimated in some parts of the UAE.[14]

One UAE citizen, a 70 year old man, died after his car was swept away by floods in a wadi in Ras Al Khaimah.[15] Landslides were reported in Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain. Residents were warned to stay home and avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.[13]

Dubai Metro services were severely impacted. The services came to a standstill, leaving around 200 commuters stranded at several stations.[16] 17 flights from Dubai International Airport were cancelled on April 16, with operations being temporarily suspended for 25 minutes. All Flydubai flights scheduled for departure on April 16 from Dubai were cancelled.[13][17] Intercity bus service on the Dubai - Abu Dhabi, Dubai - Sharjah, and Dubai - Ajman routes were suspended.[18] At the Dubai airport, a grand total of 6.45 in (164 mm) of rain fell.[19]

Internet and power outages were widespread as residents lost water.[20] In the entire country, schools and the private sector were instructed to work the remainder of the week (excluding Monday) remotely from home.[21][13]

The AFC Asian Champions League semi-final football match between the Emirati Al Ain and the Saudi Al Hilal football clubs, due to be played in Al Ain, was postponed for a day as a result of the flooding.[22]

Bahrain

Flooding in Manama, Bahrain.
A flooded street in Muharraq, Bahrain.

Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms were reported on April 15 and 16 that resulted in widespread flooding, leading to cars being abandoned on roads.[23] The Bahraini Ministry of Interior issued a public safety warning to residents to stay at home.[24] The Bahraini Ministry of Education announced a closure of schools and higher education institutions as a result of the floods.[23] On April 17, the prime minister of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, announced plans to assess and compensate residents with rainfall-related damages to their homes.[25] In the leadup to the heavy rainfall, a nationwide emergency joint task force was set up between the Ministry of Works and the four municipality councils of Bahrain to coordinate flood relief efforts including the removing of rainwater from the region and streets and pumping it to Al-Luzi lake.[23] Windspeed gusts of 70 km/h were estimated.[26] A supermarket's ceiling in the town of Sitra collapsed due to the rain.[27]

Qatar

In Qatar, schools and public buildings were closed due to the weather.[28]

Other Persian Gulf countries

Kuwait's meteorological agency warned of heavy rainfall and possible thunderstorms on April 16.[24]

Rain also fell in Southeastern Iran and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.[29]

Response

The Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Taha offered condolences to flood victims.[30]

Omar Al Yazeedi, the deputy director general of the UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), said the institution “did not conduct any seeding operations during this event”.[31]

References

  1. ^ "Heavy Rain and Floods Kill 19 in Oman and Disrupt Dubai Airport". The New York Times. 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Fierce storm lashes UAE as Dubai diverts flights". BBC News. 16 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  3. ^ Vlamis, Kelsey. "Photos of torrential Dubai flash floods show the downsides of trying to control the weather". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Dubai Floods: Is artificial rain behind UAE's rare torrential weather?". The Economic Times. 17 April 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  5. ^ Ahmar, Abir (30 August 2022). "Parched UAE turns to science to squeeze more rainfall from clouds". Reuters. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  6. ^ Mulhern, Owen (17 September 2020). "Sea Level Rise Projection Map – The Persian Gulf". Earth.org. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  7. ^ Wintour, Patrick (29 October 2021). "'Apocalypse soon': reluctant Middle East forced to open eyes to climate crisis". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Dubai airport chaos as UAE and Oman reel from deadly storms". BBC News. 16 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Fierce storm lashes United Arab Emirates as Dubai diverts flights". 16 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  10. ^ Dhafri, Badr al (15 April 2024). "The tragedy which took the lives of 10 students". Oman Observer. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Dubai airport chaos as UAE and Oman reel from deadly storms". 16 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  12. ^ Desk, Web. "UAE witnesses record-breaking rains, highest in 75 years". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  13. ^ a b c d National, The (16 April 2024). "Dubai flights: All arrivals diverted away from airport amid floods and rain in UAE". The National. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  14. ^ "Weather tracker: Gulf braced for thunderstorms". The Guardian. 15 April 2024. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  15. ^ Desk, Web (17 April 2024). "UAE citizen dies after being swept away by flooded wadi amid heavy rains". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  16. ^ Desk, Web. "Dubai Metro update: RTA to carry out maintenance after rains put stations out of service". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  17. ^ Abbas, Waheed. "Dubai airports temporarily diverts all inbound flights". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  18. ^ "UAE rains: Intercity bus services suspended due to unstable weather". gulfnews.com. 16 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  19. ^ Dubai flooded by extreme rain as deadly storms sweep through UAE, Oman Archived 17 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine, AccuWeather, April 17, 2024
  20. ^ Alawlaqi, Ahmed Waqqas. "'We underestimated this storm': UAE residents face electricity, water outages after flooding, heavy rains". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  21. ^ Desk, Web. "Dubai announces extension of remote work, learning for second day amid unstable weather". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  22. ^ "UAE witnesses largest amount of rainfall in 75 years". Al Arabiya English. 17 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  23. ^ a b c "Residents struggle to cope with severe flooding amidst heavy rainfall". www.newsofbahrain.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  24. ^ a b Farag, Mona (16 April 2024). "Heavy rain and flash flood warnings sweep the Gulf, with Oman bearing brunt of wet weather". The National. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  25. ^ "THE BIG SPLASH: HRH Prince Salman orders compensation for rain-affected". Gulf Daily News. 17 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  26. ^ "Bahrain braces for heavy rain and thunderstorms today". www.zawya.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  27. ^ "Heavy rains kill 18 in Oman as flash floods lash UAE". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  28. ^ Salari, Fatemeh (16 April 2024). "Qatar announces closure of schools, public bodies over severe weather conditions". Doha News | Qatar. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  29. ^ Ebrahim, Brandon Miller, Nadeen (17 April 2024). "Chaos in Dubai as UAE records heaviest rainfall in 75 years". CNN. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ "OIC Secretary General Offers Condolences To Oman Over Flood Victims". UrduPoint. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  31. ^ "Did controversial 'cloud seeding' flights cause torrential downpours and huge flooding in Dubai?". LBC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
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