Dubai Residents Laud Local Authorities' Rain Response: 'You Will Not See A Trace of Damage...'

Tuesday's unprecedented rainfall in Dubai wreaked havoc, leading to cancelled flights, submerged roads resembling rivers, and power outages. Described by the state-run WAM news agency as a "historic weather event," this rainfall surpassed any recorded since data collection began in 1949. Dramatic videos captured Dubai International Airport submerged underwater, with large jets navigating through the flooded runways like boats.

The streets were flooded, and residents had to be rescued by kayaks, painting a chaotic picture of the city.

Fortunately, by Wednesday, the situation was gradually improving as roads were being cleared and metro services resumed. Dubai residents commended the swift response and efficiency of local authorities and government officials in tackling the crisis.

Pavithra Pillai, a Dubai resident for two years, expressed confidence in the government's ability to restore normalcy.

"We maintained confidence in the officials and Dubai government, trusting that they would resolve the situation within 48 hours. Their immediate response and efforts to address the damages reassured us that normalcy would soon be restored," she told Times Now.

The recent heavy rains were the worst in 75 years for the Gulf state, causing major disruptions and damage. In Dubai, vehicles, including buses, were almost entirely submerged in water, causing long queues at gas stations. Emergency crews used a fire truck to pump water from flooded roads.

Teena Thomas, another resident, spoke about the government's strategic planning during the crisis, noting the proactive issuance of warnings and the implementation of measures such as offline education for schools and work-from-home arrangements for government and private sector employees.

"They worked round the clock to keep main highways that connect the city open so they had pumps removing the water," Thomas told Times Now. "One of the worst rains we have ever faced and two days later if you go on the road you will not see a trace of the damage. People talk about how bad it was but the government is so efficient in clearing out the damage. They systematically prioritize areas and clear debris. The broken cars were removed through trucks, pumps were working overtime to remove water blockages, malls that had shut down with the water and rain have resumed."

Thomas also highlighted the community's solidarity, with many individuals actively assisting rescue efforts and providing shelter to those in need.

"Many were stuck inside cars or in deep waters and you could see people going out of their way to rescue them. Even animals were suffering so many opened their doors and created shelters," she said.

Another resident, Lijo Thomas John, also commended the Dubai government's quick response.

"Dubai government responded promptly, mobilizing efforts to clear waterlogged areas, restore metro services, and address other issues. Their swift action reflects their commitment to maintaining efficient services even during challenging times," he told Times Now.

Initial reports blamed cloud seeding for the rainfall, but experts and officials later refuted this. They explained that the rainfall was due to a slow-moving storm that traveled across the Arabian Peninsula and into the Gulf of Oman over several days. This storm carried a lot of tropical moisture from near the equator and released it heavily over the region.