Less than three months after the record rainfall experienced in the UAE, Dubai is initiating a project to increase its rainwater drainage capacity by 700%, according to statements from the emirate's ruler. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, stated that the development of rain drainage in Dubai will cost 30 billion dirhams (8.1 billion dollars), adding that it is "the largest project for collecting rainwater in a single system in the region," as reported by the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
Mohammed bin Rashid noted that "the new project will enhance the emirate’s readiness to face future climate challenges... and will cover all areas of Dubai, accommodating more than 20 million cubic meters of water daily." He emphasized that "the rain drainage network development project will serve Dubai for the next hundred years, and we have ordered it to start immediately... it will be implemented in phases ending in 2033."
In mid-April, heavy rains fell in amounts not seen in the UAE for 75 years, causing flooding on the roads and water to enter homes across the country, resulting in disruptions lasting for days with numerous roads closed. This prevented many employees from reaching their workplaces, halted home delivery services, the metro, and taxis, and led to empty shelves of fruits and vegetables in stores due to delivery challenges. Dubai Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, was forced to cancel more than 2,000 flights and did not return to normal activity until a week after the storm.
