The UAE and Oman were recently hit by a devastating storm, resulting in a massive flood that submerged the roads and buildings across the countries. The heavy rainfall of this capacity seems unnatural for desert countries like these. Many believe that it might be caused by cloud seeding while experts consider it a warning sign of climate change.
Dubai currently is dealing with the aftermath of the heavy 12-hour rainfall, which induced a devastating flood, causing widespread clogging throughout the city and resulting in significant financial loss.
The storm that hit the UAE and Oman has claimed 21 lives till now and has trapped thousands of people in their homes and closed government offices and educational institutes.
Oman experienced the storm on April 14 which later hit the United States of Arab, causing power outs and extensive disturbances in the flights as the runways were filled with muddy water.
What caused the flood?Many people online were speculating that the flood might have been caused by cloud seeding, as it is rare for countries like UAE and others on the Arabian Peninsula to receive such rain, especially in summer. The UAE and Oman also do not have a proper drainage system which resulted in the submerged roads.
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique to induce rainfall by launching certain substances into the clouds which leads to the formation of water droplets and induces rain. Summer temperatures in the UAE can reach up to 50 degrees Celcius, which makes it reasonable for the country to rely on methods like this. However, experts believe that this is not the case.
Climate ChangeSeveral weather analysts believe that the heavy rainfall could be the outcome of climate change. Scientists call it a warning and a sign that climate change by human activities is getting worse and the rise in global temperatures is causing this 'abnormal phenomenon'.
According to Dim Coumou, a professor in climate extremes at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, "Rainfall from thunderstorms, like the ones seen in UAE in recent days, sees a particular strong increase with warming. This is because convection, which is the strong updraft in thunderstorms, strengthens in a warmer world."
Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.