Dubai, the glittering desert city-state known for its towering skyscrapers and luxurious lifestyle, has been brought to a standstill by an unexpected force of nature – heavy rainfall and widespread flooding.
The extreme weather conditions have not only disrupted daily life for residents but have also thrown a wrench in the plans of the global crypto community, as two major conferences, TOKEN2049 and Blockchain Life, faced significant challenges due to the deluge.
TLDR
- Heavy rainfall and flooding disrupted the TOKEN2049 and Blockchain Life crypto conferences in Dubai.
- Dubai received more than a year’s worth of rain within 24 hours, causing widespread flooding and disruption to daily life.
- Major highways and Dubai International Airport were flooded, with the airport halting arrivals and passengers struggling to reach terminals.
- Schools were closed, and most government workers worked from home due to the severe weather conditions.
- Rain is unusual in the UAE, but the lack of proper drainage infrastructure exacerbated the impact of the heavy rainfall.
Over the past 24 hours, Dubai has received more than 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rainfall, surpassing the average annual rainfall of 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) recorded at Dubai International Airport.
The sudden and intense downpour has left the city, which is more accustomed to scorching heat and arid conditions, grappling with the aftermath of the flooding.
A Porsche in Dubai yesterday after the heavy rain???? pic.twitter.com/nPySiH0C6A
— Tansu Yegen (@TansuYegen) April 17, 2024
Major highways have been transformed into rivers, with police and emergency personnel cautiously navigating the flooded streets, their emergency lights illuminating the darkened roads. The iconic Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, was occasionally struck by lightning as it flashed across the sky, adding to the surreal atmosphere engulfing the city.
Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, has not been spared from the chaos. The heavy rainfall has caused water to lap onto taxiways as aircraft attempt to land, forcing the airport to halt arrivals on Tuesday night. Passengers found themselves stranded, struggling to reach terminals through the floodwater that covered the surrounding roads.
Few clips from the heavy rainfall in the once barren desert lands of Dubai ????pic.twitter.com/6aDsTNtELg
— Kamran Chida (@ChidaKamran) April 17, 2024
The impact of the flooding has also been felt by the city’s residents, with water pouring into some homes and forcing people to bail out their houses. The lack of proper drainage infrastructure, a result of the infrequent rainfall in the region, has exacerbated the situation, causing water to accumulate on roads and other areas.
Amidst this chaos, the TOKEN2049 and Blockchain Life conferences, which brought together crypto enthusiasts and industry leaders from around the world, have faced significant disruptions.
Attendees have taken to social media to share pictures and videos of the flooded event venues, with some jokingly stating that “the event got liquidated.”
The organizers of TOKEN2049 even conducted an online poll asking attendees about their transportation plans, with more than 40% responding with “boat.”
Despite the challenges posed by the severe weather conditions, the organizers of TOKEN2049 have assured attendees that the main events, scheduled for April 18-19, will proceed under dry and sunny conditions. The resilience and adaptability of the crypto community are being put to the test as they navigate this unexpected obstacle.
The heavy rainfall and flooding have not been limited to Dubai, with other parts of the United Arab Emirates, as well as neighboring countries like Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, also experiencing unusual weather patterns.
The sudden calamity has claimed 18 lives in Oman, underscoring the severity of the situation.
