Heavy Rainfall Causes Flooding in Sharjah, Exposes Urban Engineering Issues in UAE
On April 20, 2024, heavy rainfall in Sharjah resulted in widespread flooding, forcing authorities to divert traffic and leading to transportation delays. This latest extreme weather event has once again highlighted the challenges faced by cities in the UAE in dealing with the impacts of climate change.
Urban engineering in cities like Dubai is failing to cope with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, which are only expected to worsen with time. Rapid urban development in previously uninhabitable areas has disrupted natural water absorption systems, making it difficult for cities to handle drainage challenges during heavy rainfall.
The rapid population growth in major cities like Dubai has also added to the problem, as the increased waste disposal needs further complicate drainage issues. Plastic products, which are not absorbent, contribute to landfill waste that can block natural drainage systems and exacerbate the flooding problem.
Claims that cloud seeding experiments in the UAE may have contributed to the heavy rainfall were dismissed by both the government and experts. Instead, the focus has been on the impact of urbanization and development on the natural terrain of Dubai, which historically allowed for easy water absorption due to its sandy terrain.
Last week’s rainfall in Dubai was the largest recorded since the UAE began keeping historical weather records in 1949. The unprecedented nature of the event has raised concerns about the ability of cities to adapt to the changing climate and increasing urbanization trends globally.
As cities grapple with the aftermath of this latest weather event, the need for sustainable urban planning and environmental management practices has never been more urgent. It is clear that a holistic approach is needed to address the challenges posed by climate change and ensure the resilience of cities in the face of extreme weather events.
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