Extreme Rainfall in Dubai Linked to Climate Change, Not Cloud Seeding: Scientists

Extreme rainfall in Dubai late on Monday and Tuesday triggered the worst flooding in over seven decades in one of the world’s most advanced but arid cities. The intensity of the rainfall sparked speculation that cloud seeding may have led to it, prompting climate scientists to underline the climate change link to it.

Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer at the Imperial College London’s Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment, dismissed the idea that cloud seeding caused the heaviest rainfall in Dubai for 75 years. She emphasized that the focus should be on climate change, stating that extreme rainfall events are becoming heavier globally due to a warmer atmosphere holding more moisture.

Otto explained that even if cloud seeding did play a role in encouraging clouds to drop water in certain places, the atmosphere would likely have been carrying more water to form clouds in the first place because of human-induced climate change. She warned that if humans continue to burn oil, gas, and coal, the climate will continue to warm, resulting in heavier rainfall and increased risks of flooding.

Former earth sciences ministry secretary and climate scientist M Rajeevan also weighed in on the issue, calling the Dubai rain a clear signal of climate change. He highlighted the impact of global warming on heavy rainfall, noting that a warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapor, leading to intense downpours.

Rajeevan explained that a low-pressure weather system over the region, coupled with an anticyclone over the Arabian Sea, contributed to the heavy rains in Dubai. He mentioned that models were able to predict this event almost 72 hours in advance, underscoring the role of climate science in understanding and preparing for extreme weather events.

The recent flooding in Dubai serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its impact on extreme weather events. As scientists continue to study and analyze these phenomena, it is crucial for policymakers and individuals to take proactive measures to mitigate the effects of climate change and build resilience in the face of future challenges.