Why Did Dubai, One of the World’s Most Modern Cities, Struggle to Handle 24 Hours of Rain?

Dubai News: Since April 16, many videos of the sinking Dubai are going viral on social media. Actually, on April 15, there was so much rain in the Gulf countries that the city of Dubai, situated in the middle of the desert, was completely engulfed in water. At this time, water is visible everywhere from the roads to the airport of Dubai, which is counted among the most modern cities in the world. 

In such a situation, a question arises that despite having such high infrastructure, why Dubai could not withstand only 24 hours of rain. 

In fact, even though it has been raining for 24 hours, the weather related information website ‘The Weather Man.com’ estimates that in one day in the Gulf countries, so much rain has fallen as should have fallen in two years. 

Why did it rain so much 

According to different media reports, some experts believe that the reason for this flood in the Gulf countries is cloud seeding i.e. artificial rain. Associated Press has also claimed in one of its reports that on April 14, the Dubai administration flew a plane to make it rain through cloud seeding and shortly after this, heavy rain and flood like situation arose in the Gulf countries. However, till now there has been no official statement from Dubai regarding cloud seeding.

What is cloud seeding?

We can also call cloud seeding as artificial rain. That is, when there is no rain in an area for a long time, then the technique of converting clouds into rain artificially is called cloud seeding.  

In the process of cloud seeding, chemicals like silver iodide, potassium iodide and dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) are spread in the clouds with the help of helicopters or planes.

These chemicals dissolve in the air and attract the vapor in the air, due to which stormy clouds are formed in the sky and finally it takes the form of rain. This process of vapor turning into water is called condensation. According to the report, it takes about half an hour to make it rain through this process. 

Who made it rain for the first time, how much did it cost

According to a report by TOI, it costs about Rs 1600 to make 1 feet of rain through this process. Before this technique, American scientist Vincent J. Schaefer had made it rain in the year 1946.  

Has this technology been used in Dubai before?

In July 2021, the temperature of Dubai reached 50 degrees. At that time, rain was caused by cloud seeding to provide relief to people from the heat. Apart from this, rain is also made to be made by using this technique to deal with drought in many Gulf countries. It started in the UAE in the 1990s. Currently, more than 60 countries make rain using this technique. 

What went wrong with cloud seeding this time 

If we understand it in simple language, the Southern Jet Stream is currently flowing at a very slow speed in Dubai and the countries around it. The Southern Jet Stream is an atmospheric wind that brings heat with it. Apart from this, there is an ocean in Dubai and its surrounding areas. Where dust storms often occur. Dust itself is considered a cloud seeder. Which is called condensation nuclei in the language of science. 

In such a situation, this time’s cloud seeding went wrong because a lot of dust particles were included in it and this became the cause of the disaster. This rain in the Gulf countries broke the record of 75 years. 

Can Dubai’s buildings withstand such natural disasters? 

Dubai is considered one of the most prosperous cities. There are many tall buildings in Dubai, including Burj Khalifa, which is currently the tallest building in the world.  

These buildings are designed in such a way that they can withstand the effects of wind and earthquake to some extent. But if a big earthquake or tsunami occurs, the buildings and roads here can be affected. 

Apart from Dubai, the weather is bad in these countries too 

In Pakistan and Gulf countries, there are flood-like conditions due to bad weather since April 15. In Pakistan, Oman and UAE, there are reports of about 69 people losing their lives due to heavy rains. On the other hand, 28 flights from India have been cancelled due to bad weather in Dubai. 

People requested to stay at home

Due to the continuous rain and bad weather, the UAE administration has requested people to stay indoors on Tuesday, April 16. Schools have organized online classes so that children do not go out of the house in this rain. At the same time, government employees have also been asked to work from home. 

The administration had to install big pumps to drain out the rain water accumulated on the roads.

Rain forecast today too 

The National Meteorological Center has asked the residents of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and some other emirates to be prepared for heavy rain and hailstorm in the next 24 hours i.e. on April 18. UAE’s neighboring countries Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia have also received heavy rains.