Dubai Flooded: A Space View of Before and After
Recent heavy rainfalls have caused severe flooding in Dubai, submerging parts of the city and disrupting daily life. Explore the dramatic transformation from space as Dubai grapples with the aftermath of unprecedented rainfall.
Parts of the United Arab Emirates were submerged under water last week due to unprecedented, torrential rainfall. Life in Dubai and other areas came to a halt because of the flooding.
The UAE experienced its largest deluge ever recorded, causing intense flooding that was still visible from space days after the rain stopped and the skies cleared.
A heavy downpour of rain hit a large part of the UAE from late Tuesday, April 16, through Wednesday, April 17. Dubai, the most populated city in the country, experienced a year's worth of rain in just 12 hours, while areas further east received nearly 2 years' worth of rain in less than 24 hours.
The heaviest rainfall was concentrated in areas north and east of the capital city, Abu Dhabi. Rainfall amounts ranged from 4 to 8 inches (about 100 to 200 mm), with some locations receiving close to 10 inches (250 mm).
The historic deluge caused floodwaters to rise rapidly and take a long time to go down. This event was the most severe in the country's history, dating back 75 years.
Just under 48 hours after the rain stopped, the Landsat 9 satellite flew over the UAE on Friday, April 19. It took pictures of extensive pools of floodwater that were still present. This satellite, managed by NASA and the United States Geological Survey, captures detailed images of the Earth's surface.
NASA
NASA
Images taken over the Jebel Ali area, located on the southern outskirts of Dubai, capture the area before and after historic flooding.
NASA
The floodwaters in the images above create pools of deep blue, contrasting with the typically dry, tan or light brown ground of the region. The flooding is located in the southernmost part of Dubai, away from the highly urbanized central hub of the city.
The images were captured using Landsat 9's false color products to emphasize the presence of water against the dry land. While the colors may not be exactly what a person would see from space, they help to highlight differences in the landscape more easily.
Satellite imagery captures Abu Dhabi before (left) and after (right) historic flooding.
Satellite imagery captures Abu Dhabi before (left) and after (right) historic flooding.
NASA
The satellite also captured significant flooding in Abu Dhabi. Small, shallow bodies of water appear light blue. The larger and deeper pools of floodwater are dark blue.
After the rainfall, the dry, tan ground in many areas also turns a light green color. This indicates that the ground retained some moisture from the rain, even if it didn't flood completely.
Although these images may not capture the worst of the flooding in the country, they do offer a glimpse of the aftermath left by the stormy weather.
Last week, a massive storm system brought heavy rain to the Arabian Peninsula and moved across the Gulf of Oman. This storm system also caused deadly flooding in Oman.
The increase in extreme rainfall events like this is linked to human-induced climate change. As the atmosphere gets warmer, it can hold more moisture and release it in the form of heavy rainfall.
Dry areas that lack the infrastructure to deal with intense rain are more likely to struggle with bouts of significant flooding as a result.
Editor's P/S:
The unprecedented flooding in the United Arab Emirates is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of climate change. The images captured by the Landsat 9 satellite show the extent of the flooding, with pools of deep blue contrasting with the typically dry landscape. The fact that Dubai experienced a year's worth of rain in just 12 hours is a testament to the intensity of the storm.
The increase in extreme rainfall events is a direct result of human-induced climate change. As the atmosphere gets warmer, it can hold more moisture, which is then released in the form of heavy rainfall. Dry areas that lack the infrastructure to deal with intense rain are more likely to struggle with bouts of significant flooding. The UAE is one such area, and the recent flooding is a wake-up call for the need to invest in climate adaptation measures.
