Unprecedented torrential rains plunged parts of the United Arab Emirates underwater last week, paralyzing life in Dubai and elsewhere.
The flooding that resulted from the largest deluge on record in the United Arab Emirates was so intense that satellites could still observe it from space several days after the clouds had cleared and the last drops of rain had fallen. fallen.
Heavy rains fell across large parts of the United Arab Emirates from Tuesday April 16 to Wednesday April 17. Dubai – the country’s most populous city – recorded a year’s worth of rain in just 12 hours, while areas further east recorded almost 12 hours. 2 years of rain in less than 24 hours.
The heaviest rains targeted areas north and east of the country’s capital, Abu Dhabi. Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches (about 100 to 200 mm) were common, but a few places recorded nearly 10 inches (250 mm).
Floodwaters rose quickly and were slow to recede following the historic deluge, the most extreme event in the country since records began 75 years ago.
Less than two days after the rain subsided, the Landsat 9 satellite passed over the United Arab Emirates on Friday, April 19, and captured images of large, lingering pools of floodwater. The satellite collects detailed images of the Earth’s surface and is operated by NASA and the United States Geological Survey.
The deep blue pools in the images above highlight floodwaters that contrast sharply with the area’s typically dry soil, which appears tan or light brown. The floods shown are for the southernmost part of Dubai, but the highly urbanized center of the city is not taken into account.
These images were taken with Landsat 9 false color products to highlight the presence of water on dry ground. The colors displayed do not exactly match what they would appear to a person peering into space, but make it easier to spot differences in the terrain.
The satellite also captured significant flooding in Abu Dhabi. Small, shallow bodies of water appear light blue. Larger, deeper floodwater pools are dark blue.
Large sections of dry, tan soil also turn a light green hue after rain. This probably shows that the soil in many areas retained moisture from the rain, even though it was not completely flooded.
While these images may not have captured the magnitude of the worst flooding the country has ever seen, they provide an incredible snapshot of the extent of the damage left by the severe weather.
The torrential rains were associated with a larger storm system last week, moving across the Arabian Peninsula and across the Gulf of Oman. This same system also caused deadly flooding in neighboring Oman.
Extreme precipitation events like this are becoming more common as the atmosphere warms due to human-caused climate change. A warmer atmosphere is able to absorb more moisture like a towel, then release it in the form of torrential rain.
Arid areas that do not have the necessary infrastructure to cope with intense rains are therefore more likely to face episodes of significant flooding.
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