UAE: Rainfall intensity expected to rise by up to 20% in coming years, nation prepares
According to officials today, rainfall in the UAE is likely to be up from 10% to 20% with an increase in average temperatures by 1.7 degrees Celsius in the coming years since the country prepares itself from extreme weather events witnessed last April with unreasonable downpour of rains.
“Changes of temperature and precipitation patterns are expected to occur now and also in the foreseeable future,” lamented Dr Mohammed Al-Abri, the Director of the Meteorology Department at the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
Dr Al Abri also drew attention to the urgent requirement of preparedness due to climate changes. He said: “There are strong indications of increased rainfall rates in the future, and even though our forecasts may be incorrect, we must issue warnings”.
This was as Dubai Police held a seminar on “Crisis and Natural Disaster Management.” Dr Al Abri also remarked on the frameworks that have been put in place towards tackling extraordinary weather such as the heavy rains that were experienced in the last April.
Dr Al-Abri, presenting the projections under low emissions scenario said: “By the end of the century, we will witness a noticeable rise in the annual average temperature and humidity hence the southwest monsoon winds will become more temperate and lead to occurrences of more nights with minimum temperatures above thirty degrees Celsius and more extreme hot days where the diurnal temp exceeds forty degrees celsius."
There is a higher likelihood that the Rainfall patterns will also alter. But it has been predicted that the rainfall effectiveness will increase by about 20 percent, thus making the rainfall pattern better. These forecasts were stressed by Dr. Al-Abri said: “We may experience an increase in the highest amount of rainfall ever recorded in a single day by 10% to 25% more than current climate records.”
The meteorological facilities in the UAE including 140 surface and maritime weather facilities and 7 weather Radar and their associated monitoring systems are instrumental in gathering and analyzing data.
Dr. Al-Abri’s view was that the exceptional rainfall between April 14 and April 17 during which some places received more than 100mm of rain this time is quite normal. “ The highest recorded was Khatm Al Shakla at 259 mm rainfall in Al Marmoum 219 mm Dubai” he noted.
According to officials, UAE and the entire region would face weather related incidents especially over the next ten years because of climate change.
Lt Gen Dhahi Khalfan Bin Tamim One of the challenges presented by climate change was highlighted by the Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security Dubai. He remarked “Climate change action today the rhetorical posture we face is the biggest challenge there is for people, for Institutions and Countries heavy rains and floods IV comprehension of my crises planning and energy management response.”
He further stressed that crisis management is much more than just responding to incidents or disasters. “It’s about comprehensive approaches that starts with a certain understanding of plans, internally within a community, and emphasize on restoration and reconstruction after the disaster, but improved,” he said.
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