Shocking footage has people comparing Dubai to ‘apocalyptic movie’ after its heaviest rainfall in 75 years hits
People have been flocking to social media to reveal the extent of the 'insane' flooding across Dubai as a result of 'torrents' of rainfall.
When you envisage Dubai, you probably imagine yourself catching some winter sun, propped up on a sun lounger on a beach, sunning yourself by the pool in 80+ Fahrenheit heat, the only concern on your mind what you're going to choose to eat for lunch. Alas, if you decided to book an all inclusive to the United Arab Emirates city this April, you'll have been in for quite a bit of a shock.
Yesterday (16 April), the UAE's National Centre of Meteorology issues a weather warning for many cities within the UAE such as Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
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In the downpour, which began on Monday night (15 April) and lasted until Tuesday evening (16 April), the amount of rainfall was the 'heaviest' the UAE had seen in nearly 75 years , the state-run WAM news agency reports.
The BBC reports one city, Al Ain, saw over 10 inches of rain fall in just 24 hours, over two times the amount of Dubai's annual average of around 3.8 inches.
Cities have been left completely flooded, flights diverted and concerns growing for people's safety.
The floods have seen a death toll of at least 18 so far in Oman according to authorities and at least one person has been killed in Ras Al Khaimah - a 70-year-old man swept away in his car - police said.
The government ordered people to work from home and schools also remain shut.
A unnamed couple told The Associated Press there are 'people sleeping in the Metro station' and people 'sleeping in the airport' where it's 'absolute carnage'.
And it's not taken long for others to get online to share their own experiences of the flooding.
One X user said: "Dubai airport looks like an apocalyptic movie. Videos of the flooding are insane.
"I’ve seen some blaming climate change when the cause is actually from the use of weather modification. Cloud seeding where chemicals are sprayed in clouds to create rain caused this. We recently banned this practice in my home state of Tennessee. Anytime you modify the weather you open yourself up to unintended consequences."
"Heavy flood in Dubai. Make sure to stay indoors and keep safe, folks," another said.
A third commented: "Situation of Dubai looks scary.."
Sky News weather producer Chris England has since weighed in on the possible cause of the heavy rainfall.
He notes in the winter half of the year the UAE does see 'fairly frequent flash flooding', however, the 'current flooding is unusual' for the 'built up areas of Dubai'.
Responding to some questioning whether the rainfall has occurred as a result of Dubai's cloud seeding, England dismisses the idea as 'pretty slim at best'.
He resolves: "Some studies have indicated climate change will bring an increase in rainfall to the area."
UNILAD has gone to the Met Office for comment.
Topics: Social Media, Twitter, Weather, World News, Climate Change, Travel
Poppy Bilderbeck