Jump to content

2024 Persian Gulf floods: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Line 12: Line 12:
| damages = Unknown
| damages = Unknown
| affected = [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Oman]], [[Iran]], [[Bahrain]], [[Qatar]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Yemen]]
| affected = [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Oman]], [[Iran]], [[Bahrain]], [[Qatar]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Yemen]]
}}
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}

In April 2024, heavy rain severely impacted states in the [[Persian Gulf]], causing [[flash flooding]] across the region. Several states recorded nearly a year's worth of rain in a single day. The floods had a significant impact across the region, with [[Oman]] and the [[2024 United Arab Emirates floods|United Arab Emirates]] being particularly affected,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Marisha |date=18 April 2024 |title=Unusual weather system brings rain to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain |url=https://gulfbusiness.com/unusual-weather-system-rain-saudi-arabia-bahrain/ |access-date=18 April 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> resulting in the deaths of at least 32 people, including 19 in Oman and 8 in [[Iran]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 April 2024 |title=Heavy Rain and Floods Kill 19 in Oman and Disrupt Dubai Airport |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/17/us/dubai-flood-rain-oman-deaths.html |access-date=17 April 2024 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US |archive-date=17 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417085343/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/17/us/dubai-flood-rain-oman-deaths.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=iran1/> Southeastern Iran, [[Yemen]], [[Bahrain]], [[Qatar]], and the [[Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia|Eastern Province]] of [[Saudi Arabia]] also experienced heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding.
In April 2024, heavy rain severely impacted states in the [[Persian Gulf]], causing [[flash flooding]] across the region. Several states recorded nearly a year's worth of rain in a single day. The floods had a significant impact across the region, with [[Oman]] and the [[2024 United Arab Emirates floods|United Arab Emirates]] being particularly affected,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Marisha |date=18 April 2024 |title=Unusual weather system brings rain to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain |url=https://gulfbusiness.com/unusual-weather-system-rain-saudi-arabia-bahrain/ |access-date=18 April 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> resulting in the deaths of at least 32 people, including 19 in Oman and 8 in [[Iran]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 April 2024 |title=Heavy Rain and Floods Kill 19 in Oman and Disrupt Dubai Airport |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/17/us/dubai-flood-rain-oman-deaths.html |access-date=17 April 2024 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US |archive-date=17 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417085343/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/17/us/dubai-flood-rain-oman-deaths.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=iran1/> Southeastern Iran, [[Yemen]], [[Bahrain]], [[Qatar]], and the [[Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia|Eastern Province]] of [[Saudi Arabia]] also experienced heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding.


Revision as of 11:08, 20 April 2024

2024 Persian Gulf floods
Flooding in Manama, Bahrain
CauseMesoscale convective system
Meteorological history
Duration14 April – present
Overall effects
Fatalities32 total:
19 (Oman)
8 (Iran)
4 (United Arab Emirates)
1 (Yemen)
Missing3 (Iran)
DamageUnknown
Areas affectedUnited Arab Emirates, Oman, Iran, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen

In April 2024, heavy rain severely impacted states in the Persian Gulf, causing flash flooding across the region. Several states recorded nearly a year's worth of rain in a single day. The floods had a significant impact across the region, with Oman and the United Arab Emirates being particularly affected,[1] resulting in the deaths of at least 32 people, including 19 in Oman and 8 in Iran.[2][3] Southeastern Iran, Yemen, Bahrain, Qatar, and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia also experienced heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding.

Causes

The Persian Gulf region is known for its hot and dry weather, though heavy rains causing flooding have also occurred with greater regularity in recent years.[4][5] Britain's Royal Meteorological Society stated that the likely cause is a mesoscale convective system.[6] Senior forecaster Esraa Alnaqbi of the UAE's National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) further explained that "a low pressure system in the upper atmosphere, coupled with low pressure at the surface had acted like a pressure 'squeeze' on the air. That squeeze, intensified by the contrast between warmer temperatures at ground level and colder temperatures higher up, created the conditions for the powerful thunderstorm".[7] Meteorologists from the University of Reading affirmed that the heavy rain was caused by large thunderstorms.[8]

Richard Allan, professor in climate science at the University of Reading and Friederike Otto, senior lecturer in climate science at Imperial College London, both linked the unusual weather to climate change,[9][10] stating that "rainfall was becoming much heavier around the world as the climate warms".[7] The region has previously been hit by heat waves and cyclones in recent years,[11] and with rising temperatures and humidity levels, researchers expect an increased risk of flooding in the Persian Gulf.[12]

Cloud seeding allegations

In the aftermath of the floods, some news outlets quoted specialist meteorologist Ahmed Habib linking the heavy downpours to the UAE's cloud seeding program.[13] Due to the arid desert climate and high temperatures, cloud seeding has been used previously in the United Arab Emirates in order to combat water scarcity.[14]

Dismissing the allegations, Omar Al Yazeedi, the deputy director-general of the UAE's National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), said the institution "did not conduct any seeding operations during this event".[15] Other news commentators have also dismissed the link to cloud seeding, stating that the technology marginally increases rainfall and that the UAE's cloud seeding program is localised to the eastern part of the country, away from densely populated metropolitan areas; other experts, such as the Royal Meteorological Society, stated that cloud seeding would only have a minimal effect,[6] with others even stating that the focus on cloud seeding is "misleading".[16][7]

Scientists from the University of Reading, whose cloud seeding program is used by the UAE, denied that cloud seeding was to blame for the heavy rainfall, given that the large-scale weather pattern was predicted in advance and was too large to be influenced by cloud seeding. They added that the effects of cloud seeding are typically short-lived, lasting for a few hours.[8]

Impact

Flooding in Manama, Bahrain

Oman

In Oman, at least 19 people were killed due to the floods.[17] This included 10 schoolchildren and their driver whose vehicle was washed away by flood waters in Samad al-Shan on 14 April.[18][19] Rescuers found the body of a girl in Saham.[20] The hardest hit region was the Ash Sharqiyah North Governorate where widespread flooding was reported. Some flights were cancelled or delayed from Muscat International Airport.[12]

United Arab Emirates

Main article: 2024 United Arab Emirates floods

The rains began in UAE late on Monday 15 April 2024, intensifying the next day on Tuesday 16 April 2024,[6] and officially concluding on Wednesday 17 April 2024.[21] The UAE witnessed a record-breaking rainfall in a 24 hour period, surpassing Emirati meteorological data since records began in 1949. According to the National Centre of Meteorology, the highest rainfall was recorded in the Khatm Al Shakla area in Al Ain, reaching 254.8 mm (10.03 in) in less than 24 hours.[22] Widespread flooding was reported in all seven emirates.[23] Ahead of the flooding, an estimated rainfall of 40 mm (1.6 in), up to 100 mm (3.9 in) was estimated in some parts of the UAE.[24]

One Emirati citizen, a 70-year-old man, died after his car was swept away by floods in a wadi in Ras Al Khaimah.[25] Three overseas Filipino workers also died, two after being trapped inside a vehicle trapped in flooding,[26] and the third after their vehicle fell into a sinkhole.[27] Landslides were reported in Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain. Residents were warned to stay home and avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.[23] Internet and power outages were widespread as residents lost water.[28] In the entire country, schools and the private sector were instructed to work the remainder of the week (excluding Monday) remotely from home.[29][23]

Dubai Metro services were severely impacted, leaving around 200 commuters stranded at several stations.[30] Intercity bus service on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi, Dubai-Sharjah, and Dubai-Ajman routes were suspended.[31] A total of 1,244 flights at Dubai International Airport were cancelled over a two-day period with 41 diverted.[32][33] All Flydubai flights scheduled for departure on 16 April from Dubai were cancelled.[23][34] At the Dubai airport, a total of 164 mm (6.45 in) of rain fell.[35]

The AFC Asian Champions League semi-final football match between the Emirati Al Ain and the Saudi Al Hilal football clubs, due to be played in Al Ain, was postponed for a day due to the floods.[36]

Bahrain

A flooded street in Muharraq, Bahrain

Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms occurred on 15 and 16 April that resulted in widespread flooding, leading to cars being abandoned on roads.[37] According to the Bahrain meteorological directorate, an average of 67.6 mm (2.66 in) of rainfall was reported over 48 hours, the second highest rainfall recorded in Bahraini history.[38] The Bahraini Ministry of Interior issued a public safety warning to residents to stay at home.[39] The Ministry of Education announced a closure of schools and higher education institutions as a result of the floods.[37] Windspeed gusts of 70 km/h were estimated.[40] A supermarket's ceiling in the town of Sitra collapsed due to the rain.[41]

Qatar

Heavy rainfall and strong winds were largely confined to the northern parts of the country centered around the towns of Madinat ash Shamal and Ar-Ruʼays. Scattered showers were reported in Doha.[42] Schools and public buildings were closed due to the weather, with services shifted online for the day.[43][42]

Iran

Heavy rain and flash flooding were also reported in southeastern Iran. The provinces of Sistan-Baluchistan, Hormozgan and Kerman were the worst affected, with 8 people killed in Sistan-Baluchistan and 3 people reported missing in Kerman province.[3][44][45]

Saudi Arabia

Heavy rainfall was reported in the Eastern Province.[46] Widespread flooding affected the province, particularly the capital Dammam, resulting in road tunnel closures and the closure of schools.[47]

Kuwait

Kuwait's meteorological agency warned of heavy rainfall and possible thunderstorms on 16 April.[39]

Yemen

Torrential rain and flash flooding occurred in Yemen's Hadhramaut Governorate on 17 April, with one death reported and widespread damage to property. Heavy rain in the mountains close to the port of Mukalla raised the possibility of landslides.[48]

Responses

On 17 April, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa announced plans to assess and compensate residents with rainfall-related damages to their homes.[49] In the leadup to the heavy rainfall, a nationwide emergency joint task force was set up between the Ministry of Works and the four municipality councils of Bahrain to coordinate flood relief efforts including the removing of rainwater from flooded streets and pumping it to Al-Luzi lake.[37]

The Royal Oman Police conducted 152 operations, rescuing 1,630 individuals stranded from flooding across the country.[50]

Reactions

The Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha offered condolences to flood victims.[51]

See also

References

  1. ^ Singh, Marisha (18 April 2024). "Unusual weather system brings rain to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain". Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Heavy Rain and Floods Kill 19 in Oman and Disrupt Dubai Airport". The New York Times. 17 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b https://www.iranintl.com/en/202404184847
  4. ^ "Fierce storm lashes UAE as Dubai diverts flights". BBC News. 16 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  5. ^ Ahmar, Abir (30 August 2022). "Parched UAE turns to science to squeeze more rainfall from clouds". Reuters. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  6. ^ a b c McCabe, Kirsty (18 April 2024). "Dubai floods and cloud seeding". Royal Meteorological Society. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Cornwell, Alexander (18 April 2024). "What caused Dubai floods? Experts cite climate change, not cloud seeding". Reuters. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  8. ^ a b Knapton, Sarah (18 April 2024). "Reading University denies causing flooding in Dubai". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  9. ^ Katwala, Amit. "No, Dubai's Floods Weren't Caused by Cloud Seeding". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  10. ^ Mulhern, Owen (17 September 2020). "Sea Level Rise Projection Map – The Persian Gulf". Earth.org. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  11. ^ Wintour, Patrick (29 October 2021). "'Apocalypse soon': reluctant Middle East forced to open eyes to climate crisis". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Fourth day after disastrous storm, flash floods – Oman and UAE grapple with aftermath". Maktoob media. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Dubai Grinds to Standstill as Cloud Seeding Worsens Flooding". Bloomberg.com. 16 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  14. ^ Vlamis, Kelsey. "Photos of torrential Dubai flash floods show the downsides of trying to control the weather". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  15. ^ "Did controversial 'cloud seeding' flights cause torrential downpours and huge flooding in Dubai?". LBC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  16. ^ "What is cloud seeding and did it cause Dubai flooding?". 17 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  17. ^ "Dubai airport chaos as UAE and Oman reel from deadly storms". BBC News. 16 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  18. ^ "Fierce storm lashes United Arab Emirates as Dubai diverts flights". 16 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  19. ^ al Dhafri, Badr (15 April 2024). "The tragedy which took the lives of 10 students". Oman Observer. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  20. ^ "Dubai airport chaos as UAE and Oman reel from deadly storms". 16 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  21. ^ Mair, Findlay (17 April 2024). "UAE confirms the end of worst ever storm". TimeOut UAE. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  22. ^ "UAE witnesses record-breaking rains, highest in 75 years". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  23. ^ a b c d "Dubai flights: All arrivals diverted away from airport amid floods and rain in UAE". The National. 16 April 2024. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  24. ^ "Weather tracker: Gulf braced for thunderstorms". The Guardian. 15 April 2024. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  25. ^ "UAE citizen dies after being swept away by flooded wadi amid heavy rains". Khaleej Times. 17 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  26. ^ "3 OFWs died in UAE floods, DMW says". ABS-CBN. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  27. ^ "1 sa 3 OFW na nasawi sa Dubai, UAE noong kasagsagan ng ulan at baha, nahulog sa sinkhole". GMA News (in Filipino). Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  28. ^ Alawlaqi, Ahmed Waqqas. "'We underestimated this storm': UAE residents face electricity, water outages after flooding, heavy rains". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  29. ^ "Dubai announces extension of remote work, learning for second day amid unstable weather". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  30. ^ "Dubai Metro update: RTA to carry out maintenance after rains put stations out of service". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  31. ^ "UAE rains: Intercity bus services suspended due to unstable weather". gulfnews.com. 16 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  32. ^ "Dubai Airport diverts flights as Exceptional weather hits Gulf". The Express Tribune. 17 April 2024. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  33. ^ Abbas, Waheed. "884 Dubai flights cancelled over 2 days; DXB resumes arrivals for some airlines". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  34. ^ Abbas, Waheed. "Dubai airports temporarily diverts all inbound flights". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  35. ^ Dubai flooded by extreme rain as deadly storms sweep through UAE, Oman Archived 17 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine, AccuWeather, 17 April 2024
  36. ^ "UAE witnesses largest amount of rainfall in 75 years". Al Arabiya English. 17 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  37. ^ a b c "Residents struggle to cope with severe flooding amidst heavy rainfall". www.newsofbahrain.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  38. ^ Adnan, Nader. "Second Heaviest Downpour". Gulf Daily News. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  39. ^ a b Farag, Mona (16 April 2024). "Heavy rain and flash flood warnings sweep the Gulf, with Oman bearing brunt of wet weather". The National. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  40. ^ "Bahrain braces for heavy rain and thunderstorms today". www.zawya.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  41. ^ "Heavy rains kill 18 in Oman as flash floods lash UAE". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  42. ^ a b Varghese, Joseph (16 April 2024). "Qatar experiences moderate to heavy rains, strong winds". Gulf Times. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  43. ^ Salari, Fatemeh (16 April 2024). "Qatar announces closure of schools, public bodies over severe weather conditions". Doha News. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  44. ^ https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/18/middleeast/iran-flooding-crocodile-warning-intl/index.html
  45. ^ "Heavy downpour and flash floods hit southeast Iran". Mehr News Agency. 17 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  46. ^ Ebrahim, Brandon Miller, Nadeen (17 April 2024). "Chaos in Dubai as UAE records heaviest rainfall in 75 years". CNN. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  47. ^ "Heavy rain lashes in Eastern Province while near zero-visibility in Qassim and Riyadh". www.zawya.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  48. ^ "Death reported in Yemen as weather continues to worsen | Al Bawaba". www.albawaba.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  49. ^ "THE BIG SPLASH: HRH Prince Salman orders compensation for rain-affected". Gulf Daily News. 17 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  50. ^ "Over 1,600 Individuals Rescued in Oman After Flash Floods". Oman Moments. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  51. ^ "OIC Secretary General Offers Condolences To Oman Over Flood Victims". UrduPoint. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2024 Persian Gulf floods.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2024_Persian_Gulf_floods&oldid=1219875084"