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.
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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.
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“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.
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.
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“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.
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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.”
Topics: Travel, Weather, World News, Saudi Arabia
Anish Vij