Flood Prevention in the UAE

Who would have thought that a desert country like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) could face flooding issues? Despite being known for its hot and dry weather, sudden heavy seasonal rains often cause flooding in certain areas. To tackle this, the UAE has implemented a series of smart strategies to prevent floods, which we will explore in this article about flood prevention in the UAE.

Rainwater Drainage Systems

The UAE has constructed modern drainage systems to handle large amounts of rainwater. One prime example is in Dubai. Dubai’s rainwater drainage system is designed to channel rainwater directly into sewers or reservoirs. This system covers the entire Dubai region and can manage over 20 million m³ of water daily, with a flow capacity of 230 m³ per second, contributing to flood prevention in the UAE.

Water Reservoirs

President Sheikh Mohamed has issued directives to build dams and canals across the UAE as part of efforts to enhance water security and address future flood threats.

Projects are being carried out in 13 residential areas, including Shis and Khor Fakkan in Sharjah; Masfout in Ajman; Sha’am and Al Fahleen in Ras Al Khaimah; Abu Hail, Qidfa, Murbeh, Dadna, Al Seeji, and Ghazimri in Fujairah; as well as Mohamed bin Zayed City, reflecting efforts for flood prevention in the UAE.

Additionally, the UAE already has Al Hefaiyah Lake in Sharjah, spanning 132,000 m² with a capacity of over 586,735 m³. Beyond protecting the emirate from flooding, this lake also serves as a tourist attraction.

Weather Forecasting Technology

The next flood prevention effort in the UAE is the collaboration between the UAE’s AI company, G42 and the U.S chip manufacturer, Nvidia to utilize the Earth-2 platform. This technology is designed to address climate change-induced challenges such as floods, droughts, and extreme weather events.

Leveraging the power of AI, physical simulations, and computer graphics, this platform can generate accurate climate and weather forecasts. It allows users to create high-resolution simulations of global atmospheric conditions, local cloud cover, typhoons, and turbulence. It can even predict extreme weather events weeks in advance, aiding flood prevention in UAE.

Smart Urban Planning

The UAE places significant emphasis on sustainability in urban planning. For example, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning 2030 is a long-term strategic plan aimed at guiding Abu Dhabi’s urban development toward a more sustainable, modern, and balanced future.

The main objectives of Abu Dhabi Urban Planning include:

• Sustainable Development: Integrating sustainability principles in development to preserve the environment, manage resources efficiently, and reduce environmental impacts.
• Urbanization Management: Anticipating population growth by planning residential areas, business centers, and infrastructure to accommodate up to 3 million residents by 2030, supporting flood prevention in UAE.
• Integrated Mobility: Enhancing public transportation through the development of metro networks, buses, and railways to reduce reliance on private vehicles.
• High Quality of Life: Improving access to public facilities such as parks, green spaces, cultural centers, and educational and healthcare facilities.

Conclusion

These are some of the flood prevention efforts in the UAE. The UAE demonstrates that even though rain is a rare occurrence, it remains proactive in facing challenges. By blending technology, meticulous urban planning, and collaboration among all stakeholders, the country ensures its cities remain safe from waterlogging, illustrating effective flood prevention in the UAE.