Dubai to enhance rainwater drainage system

Dubai plans to invest 30 billion dirhams ($8.2 billion) to upgrade its rainwater drainage system following the heaviest rainfall in 75 years, which has recently paralysed the city.

The downpours in April caused extensive damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses, prompting a significant reduction in operations at Dubai International Airport (DXB), one of the world’s busiest hubs.

The unprecedented rainfall led to four fatalities and raised concerns about Dubai’s preparedness for future extreme weather events. With climate change expected to bring higher temperatures, increased humidity, and greater flood risks across the Gulf region, Dubai is taking proactive measures to adapt.

The Tasreef (drainage) project is aimed to be completed by 2033 and will encompass all areas of the emirate, ensuring resilience against climate challenges for the next century.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s ruler, emphasised the project’s significance in expanding the rainwater drainage system’s capacity by 700 per cent, accommodating over 20 million cubic metres of water per day. This initiative is set to become one of the largest rainwater collection efforts in the region.

The Tasreef project builds upon previous drainage initiatives launched in 2019, which covered southern areas including Expo, Jebel Ali, and Al Maktoum International Airport City. This city, slated to become the world’s largest airport with a capacity five times that of Dubai International, underscores Dubai’s commitment to infrastructure development amid growing environmental challenges.

Attribution: Reuters.