Residents of Dubai were left in shock on Thursday as the weather made another rapid change, just hours after the city was hit by severe flooding.
The sudden change in weather conditions has left many residents wondering what to expect next, as the city has been experiencing a period of unusually heavy rainfall.
The rains began late on Monday, soaking the sands and roadways of Dubai with some 0.79 inches of rain, according to meteorological data collected at Dubai International Airport.
Many roads were left impassable, and several buildings were damaged.
However, on Wednesday morning, the sun came out and the rain stopped, leaving residents to wonder if the worst was over.
But just hours later, the weather took another dramatic turn, with strong winds and heavy rain returning to the city.
The rapid change in weather conditions has left many residents feeling anxious and uncertain.
Some residents and visitors made some tweets on X (formally Twitter).
“I’ve never seen anything like it before,” said one resident.
One particularly weary tourist, who uploaded a photo of himself wearing a T-shirt that read “RUGGED,” wrote: ‘I finally made it to the hotel after being stuck in the airport for 12 hours! Yes, I’m feeling rugged by Dubai’s weather.’
“I don’t know what to expect anymore.”
The police have urged residents to stay indoors and avoid driving if possible.
The municipality is also working to clear the roads and repair the damage caused by the flooding.
The rapid change in weather conditions is a reminder of the importance of being prepared for anything in Dubai.
The city’s weather can change very quickly, so it’s important to always be aware of the latest forecast and to take precautions accordingly.
Since the storm’s passing, experts are now questioning whether the desert city’s sudden deluge might have been caused by climate meddling.
Since the early 1990s, the UAE has used a technique called cloud seeding to boost its annual rainfall and boost supplies of drinking water.
In 2021, the United Arab Emirates began creating its own rain using drones that fly into clouds and unleash electrical charges to beat the sweltering 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius) heat.
The rain is formed using drone technology that gives clouds an electric shock to ‘cajole them’ into clumping together and producing precipitation.
The UAE is one of the most arid countries on Earth, and it hopes the technique could help increase its meager annual rainfall.
Source: Ghana/MaxTV/MaxFM/max.com.gh/Belinda Quansah
