• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • First Impressions - The Game
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Government denies cloud seeding took place as two years' worth of rain leaves Dubai underwater

Home> News> World News

Updated 15:39 13 May 2024 GMT+1Published 14:30 17 Apr 2024 GMT+1

Government denies cloud seeding took place as two years' worth of rain leaves Dubai underwater

It's the heaviest rain ever recorded in UAE.

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

As the weather plays havoc in Dubai, the government has denied any accusations of 'cloud seeding' as two years’ worth of rainfall has flooded the luxurious city.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is currently attempting to dry up the floods from the country’s heaviest ever rainfall on record.

Dubai International Airport has been flooded and flights around the world have been cancelled.

Advert

The city is flooded from the heaviest rain ever recorded in UAE. (Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The city is flooded from the heaviest rain ever recorded in UAE. (Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The rain, which also fell in Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia late on Monday (15 April), has been dubbed ‘a historic weather event’ since UAE data weather records began in 1949.

Over 5.6 inches of rain had soaked Dubai by Tuesday (16 April) - an average year sees 3.7 inches of rain.

Dubai International Airport said on Wednesday (17 April) morning: “Recovery will take some time. We thank you for your patience and understanding while we work through these challenges.”

Paul Griffiths, the airport’s chief executive, told Dubai Eye: “It remains an incredibly challenging time. In living memory, I don’t think anyone has ever seen conditions like it.

Advert

“We are in uncharted territory, but I can assure everyone we are working as hard as we possibly can to make sure our customers and staff are looked after.”

The world’s second busiest airport has since advised people to change their travel plans.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is currently attempting to dry up the floods from the country’s heaviest ever rainfall on record. (Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is currently attempting to dry up the floods from the country’s heaviest ever rainfall on record. (Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)

On Wednesday (17 April), they said: “We advise you not to come to the airport, unless absolutely necessary.

“Flights continue to be delayed and diverted. Please check your flight status directly with your airline.

Advert

“We are working hard to recover operations as quickly as possible in very challenging conditions.”

Now, some reports have suggested that ‘cloud seeding’ was behind the rainfall.

‘Cloud seeding’ is when small government planes fly through the clouds while burning special salt flares.

Those flares can increase rainfall significantly.

However, the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), a government task force responsible for cloud seeding missions in the UAE, has denied reports.

Advert

Deputy director general of the NCM, Omar AlYazeedi, said the agency ‘did not conduct any seeding operations during this event’.

He said: “One of the basic principles of cloud seeding is that you have to target clouds in its early stage before it rains, if you have a severe thunderstorm situation then it is too late to conduct any seeding operation.

“We take the safety of our people, pilots, and aircrafts very seriously. The NCM does not conduct cloud seeding operations during extreme weather events.”

Featured Image Credit: X/@TheKamalGK Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images

Topics: Travel, Weather, World News, Saudi Arabia

Anish Vij
Anish Vij

Anish is a Journalist at LADbible Group and is a GG2 Young Journalist of the Year 2025. He has a Master's degree in Multimedia Journalism and a Bachelor's degree in International Business Management. Apart from that, his life revolves around the ‘Four F’s’ - family, friends, football and food. Email: [email protected]

X

@Anish_Vij

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
  • an hour ago

    King Charles won't be at Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration due to royal protocol

    The monarch, nor Prince William, will be attending the inauguration of Pope Leo

    News
  • an hour ago

    Pope Francis’ final wish for ‘Popemobile’ ahead of Leo XIV's inauguration this weekend

    The inauguration of the new Pope is set to take place this weekend

    News
  • an hour ago

    Weightlifter, 31, given 5 years to live after believing 'common' symptoms were caused by gym training

    Scott was on his way to work one day when he suffered a seizure

    News
  • an hour ago

    What was found inside Nazi files discovered in basement of Argentina's Supreme Court

    The Nazi documents could help clarify events in relation to the Holocaust

    News
  • Eerie dystopian footage shows Dubai underwater as two years' worth of rain hits holiday destination
  • Insane case of commercial aeroplane that ‘vanished’ after two men took off from airport
  • Captain of boat that helped rescue passengers on sunken £14m yacht speaks out on moment it went underwater
  • Strict rules for tourists as British teen faces 20 years in Dubai prison after having sex with girl on holiday