The recent catastrophic floods have left a trail of destruction across the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Afghanistan, and Pakistan, resulting in the tragic loss of 135 lives.
In Afghanistan, torrential rains have wreaked havoc over the last five days, leading to the death of approximately 70 people, as reported by the nation’s disaster management department on Wednesday.
The calamity was compounded by an arid winter that left the land vulnerable to the ensuing flash floods affecting most provinces.
Pakistan is facing a similar plight, with spring showers causing storm-related incidents that have claimed 65 lives. The rainfall has been nearly double the historical average, overwhelming the region and its inhabitants.
Dubai, known for its bustling airport and expansive roadways, faced unprecedented disruptions. Emirates airline was forced to halt check-ins due to the severe weather, which also led to the suspension of some metro services and left major access roads submerged.
The disaster management spokesperson for Afghanistan, Janan Sayeq, confirmed the casualties and noted the extensive damage to homes and farmland. Last week, he attributed many of the deaths to roof collapses caused by the heavy rains.
The United Nations had previously cautioned that Afghanistan is subject to significant fluctuations in extreme weather, a situation exacerbated by climate change, which is believed to be making such events more frequent and intense.
Earlier this year, Afghanistan suffered from a landslide triggered by substantial snowfall, claiming 25 lives, while another 60 perished in a series of storms that concluded in March.
In Pakistan, the deluge led to flash floods and structural collapses, with lightning strikes adding to the death toll. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province experienced the highest number of fatalities, including 15 children, with extensive damage to over 1,300 homes.
Dubai’s infrastructure was overwhelmed by the floods, causing massive traffic jams and prompting officials to advise against travel to the city’s airport unless absolutely necessary.
The UAE recorded about two years’ worth of rain in a single day, leading to at least one fatality when a man was swept away by the floodwaters.
Climatologist Friederike Otto highlighted the probable link between these severe weather events and global warming, suggesting that climate change is likely intensifying the storms’ impact.
