Dubai’s new flood defense to suck 20 million cubic meters of water a day
By Sujita Sinha Jun 25, 2024 02:57 AM EST
April 16 brought the UAE’s worst rainfall in 75 years, causing widespread flooding and disrupting daily life and infrastructure, including Dubai airport.
Dubai, renowned for its futuristic skyline and opulent lifestyle, has announced an ambitious $8 billion plan to construct a comprehensive stormwater runoff system.
This announcement comes just two months after unprecedented rainfall led to severe flooding, bringing the desert city to a halt.
Also contributing to the discussion, multiple media outlets suggested that Dubai’s cloud seeding might have played a role in the heavy rain. Cloud seeding, a technique where airplanes introduce chemicals like potassium chloride into rain clouds to enhance precipitation, is regularly employed by Dubai to meet its freshwater needs.