Why is there a flood in Dubai?

Rain is a rather unusual meteorological event in the United Arab Emirates, a country located in an arid region of the Arabian Peninsula. Despite occasional rainfall occurring during the cooler winter months, what happened in the past few hours is certainly making headlines: the United Arab Emirates has been hit by intense rainfall causing flooding on major roads in Dubai, submerging vehicles and causing panic among the population - certainly not accustomed to this type of tropical, almost apocalyptic precipitation. Meanwhile, the death toll due to severe flooding in Oman (a Middle Eastern country lacking advanced infrastructure like the metropolis of Dubai) has risen to 18, with several people still missing. The rain began to fall during the night between April 16 and 17, flooding critical points of the city and the entire country. As if the disruptions caused by the unexpected rain were not enough, strong winds led to the cancellation of all flights to and from Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest airport for international travel - and a major hub for Emirates airline operations. The images and videos shared by users (residents and tourists in Dubai) are terrifying: lightning struck the top of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper. The country promptly took measures, immediately closing schools nationwide following the storm, with public sector employees working exclusively from home.

According to Bloomberg, part of the severity of the flood can be attributed to the practice of cloud seeding, ongoing since 2002: a technology involving the dispersion of chemicals into the sky to enhance condensation and trigger artificial rainfall, vital for the health of a country like the United Arab Emirates. The induced rainfall, initially a curiosity to document, now risks having serious consequences. Besides the closure of Dubai International Airport, the rains have caused building damage, blocked roads, and property damage (vehicles and residences). On Tuesday morning, April 16 alone, over 30 millimeters of rain were estimated to have fallen, with a total of 128 mm throughout the day. The severe weather conditions also affected Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. Meteorological expert Ahmed Habib states that the National Center of Meteorology dispatched aircraft for cloud seeding from Al Ain Airport on both Monday, April 15, and Tuesday, April 16: only future investigations will determine whether the disastrous situation in the desert area was exacerbated by an overuse of a technology that has become increasingly popular in recent years.