The Middle East faces extreme weather conditions as heavy rainfall causes devastation
In a rare occurrence, the desert regions of the United Arab Emirates and Oman have been hit by heavy rainfall, transforming the arid landscape into a “vast ocean.” The National Meteorological Center of the UAE reported the heaviest rainfall in the country’s history, while Oman experienced flash floods that resulted in at least 19 fatalities. Bahrain and Qatar were also affected by the severe weather conditions.
What caused these unexpected heavy rainfalls in typically dry regions? Meteorological experts in the UAE and Oman explained that the extreme weather was due to a low-pressure system originating from the Indian Ocean. The warm water in the Gulf led to the formation of severe thunderstorms, exacerbating the heavy rainfall. Climate scientists attributed the intense rainfall to anthropogenic climate change, with rising air and seawater temperatures leading to more moisture in the atmosphere.
While some speculated about the use of artificial rainfall technology in the UAE, meteorologists dismissed these claims, stating that such operations could not produce such massive amounts of rainfall. Instead, experts are focusing on analyzing atmospheric conditions to stimulate cloud growth and enhance rainfall.
In light of the economic losses and casualties caused by the extreme weather events, meteorologists emphasized the importance of strengthening early warning systems and implementing preventive measures. Suggestions included building more spillways for improved drainage and taking action to combat global warming by reducing carbon emissions and fossil fuel usage.
The recent heavy rainfall serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its impact on extreme weather events. Scientists and meteorologists are calling for collective action to mitigate the effects of global warming and protect vulnerable regions from future disasters.