Record-breaking Rains Hit Dubai, shattering 75-year-old records

Dubai (UAE) recently encountered an unprecedented weather phenomenon, as the nation experienced its heaviest rainfall in 75 years. The downpour, which commenced late Monday and persisted through Tuesday night, exceeded any precipitation recorded since data collection began in 1949.

The National Centre of Meteorology reported that the Khatm Al Shakla area in Al Ain bore the brunt of the deluge, receiving a staggering 254 mm of rainfall within a span of fewer than 24 hours. This surpasses the previous record set at the Shuwaib station, which registered 287.6 mm on March 9, 2016.

While the rainfall is a significant boon for the UAE’s annual precipitation average and groundwater reserves, it presented considerable challenges for the nation. The exceptional weather event caused widespread disruptions across various sectors, compelling authorities and residents to collaborate closely to ensure public safety.

Unstable weather conditions, attributed to the extension of a “low surface pressure,” plagued the country from Monday onwards, with two waves of inclement weather sweeping across the UAE on Tuesday. The aftermath of the heavy rains left Dubai Metro services severely impacted, nearly grinding operations to a halt and stranding around 200 commuters at multiple stations.

As the UAE grappled with flooded airports, malls, and offices, motorists found themselves abandoning vehicles on waterlogged roads, and residents scrambled to repair leaky roofs amid power outages and water shortages. The National Centre of Meteorology labeled the event as “exceptional” and “historic,” with several stations recording rainfall exceeding 200mm—a stark contrast to the country’s average annual rainfall of 100mm.

In response to the crisis, authorities have been working tirelessly to drain the streets and restore essential services. However, disruptions are expected to persist as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced scheduled maintenance at Metro stations along the Red and Green lines on Wednesday, April 17, impacting both station operations and train schedules.

While the worst of the weather appears to be over, residents are advised to remain vigilant, as convective clouds may continue to form over coastal areas, gradually decreasing by noon. The National Centre of Meteorology’s five-day weather forecast indicates no further showers until Sunday, with temperatures expected to rise gradually from Thursday onwards.

Meanwhile, the impact of the same low-pressure system on neighboring Oman proved to be more severe, with flash floods claiming the lives of at least 18 individuals in the Gulf state. As the UAE strives to recover from the unprecedented rainfall event, efforts remain focused on mitigating the aftermath and bolstering resilience against future weather extremes.