Case study: the April 2024 UAE floods

What happened

According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), as carried in a WAM report republished by Aletihad, the UAE recorded its largest rainfall in 75 years, since data collection began in 1949. The highest amount was in the Khatm Al Shakla area of Al Ain, reaching 254 mm in less than 24 hours, in the 24 hours up to 9 pm on Tuesday 16 April 2024. NCM described it as an exceptional event in the UAE's climate history.

On 16 April the NCM issued a red warning, its highest Take Action level, for heavy rain and strong winds across most of the country, in force until 6 pm on Wednesday 17 April. NCM forecast another wave of rain overnight, with lightning, thunder and possible hail, before conditions turned fair by Thursday.

Travel was badly disrupted. As reported by Gulf News, Dubai's RTA ran limited Dubai Metro services on 17 April, with trains only on some sections of the Red and Green Lines and free shuttle buses at certain stations. On the morning of 17 April, Dubai Airports advised passengers not to come to Dubai International Airport unless necessary and to check flight status with their airline first, according to Aletihad.

Sources: ^{1 2 10 11}

Remote work and remote study

On 15 April, before the heaviest rain, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, directed that Tuesday 16 April be a remote working day for all Dubai government entities, except roles that need on-site presence, and that private schools hold remote learning that day (WAM, via Aletihad).

As the weather continued, the measures were extended day by day. Federal government employees worked remotely through Wednesday 17 April, announced by the UAE Government Media Office. Dubai extended remote work and private school remote learning to 17 April and urged private sector firms to adopt remote working. Abu Dhabi extended remote study and work for schools and government entities to 17 April (all as reported by Aletihad).

On 17 April the Dubai Government Media Office announced that remote work for all Dubai government entities would continue on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 April, with private schools staying on distance learning to prepare for students to return the following week. Abu Dhabi schools also stayed on remote study for 18 and 19 April (Aletihad). In Sharjah, the Sharjah Government Media Bureau announced that private schools would remain on distance learning on Monday 22 April, so that schools and surrounding areas could be made ready.

Sources: ^{3 4 5 6 7 8 9}

Warnings and guidance to the public

With the red warning, NCM asked the public to be extremely vigilant, take precautions during rainfall, and stay away from flooded areas and places where water collects. Aletihad also reported that Abu Dhabi Police reduced speed limits on some roads and asked people to report hazards such as fallen trees and pooling water. The Abu Dhabi Media Office listed 993 (Department of Municipalities and Transport) for reporting water accumulations.

After the rain, Dubai Police asked owners to promptly move vehicles left on streets and roads so traffic could return to normal, according to a Gulf News report of a Dubai Police post on 21 April.

Sources: ^{2 12 16}

Federal response

On 17 April, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the safety and security of citizens and residents is the government's top priority. He directed authorities to quickly study the condition of infrastructure across the country and limit the damage, to provide affected families with the support they need, and to move affected families to safe places in coordination with local authorities.

Sources: ¹³

Was cloud seeding involved?

Claims about cloud seeding spread widely online. The NCM said it did not carry out any seeding operations during this event. An NCM official, Adel Kamal, told Aletihad that the centre does not seed clouds during extreme weather events, and NCM told Gulf Business that once a severe thunderstorm is under way it is too late for any seeding operation. We make no other claim about causes.

Sources: ^{14 15}

Lessons for families

• The NCM red warning came on 16 April, and Dubai announced remote work and study the evening before. Families signed up to official alerts had time to stay home and plan.
  From our guide Floods and heavy rain: “Sign up for official flood warnings by text, phone or email.”
• Remote work and school arrangements changed day by day for almost a week, and differed between emirates. Check official channels each evening rather than relying on forwarded messages.
  From our guide Floods and heavy rain: “Keep listening to official alerts for updated instructions.”
• NCM told the public to stay away from flooded areas and water pools, and many vehicles were left stranded on roads. Do not try to drive or wade through standing water, however shallow it looks.
  From our guide Floods and heavy rain: “Never walk, swim, cycle or drive through floodwater. Shallow moving water can knock you over.”
• If you are caught on a flooded road, Abu Dhabi guidance is to call 999 and stay in your vehicle unless leaving is absolutely necessary. If water rises inside, get onto the roof.
  From our guide Floods and heavy rain: “If water rises inside your car, climb onto the roof and call for help.”
• Metro lines, roads and the airport were disrupted for days, and the President directed that affected families be moved to safe places. Agree in advance where your family would go and how you would reach each other.
  From our guide Floods and heavy rain: “Make a written household flood plan covering where to go, what to do and your pets.”
• With travel disrupted, families may be unable to reach a pharmacy or office for several days. Keep spare medicine, key documents and paper contact numbers ready at home.
  From our guide Floods and heavy rain: “Keep spare medicine, important papers and contact numbers stored safely with your plan.”
• Staying home for several days means relying on your phone for official updates. Keep power banks charged, and backup batteries for any medical device.
  From our guide Power outage: “Keep a charged power bank and backup batteries for any medical device you rely on.”
• The President ordered a rapid assessment of damage after the storm. Check now whether your home and car policies cover flood and rain damage.
  From our guide Floods and heavy rain: “Check whether your insurance covers flood damage, as many home policies do not.”

Rainy season checklist Flood guide