The United Arab Emirates is one among the top business hubs of the world, attracting people from all corners of the globe. UAE stands as a beacon of prosperity, renowned worldwide for its vibrant business landscape and captivating attractions. However, the nation recently was hit by a natural catastrophe. According to many credible reports, the nation witnessed its highest and intense rainfall since the last 75 years exceeding recorded precipitation since data collection began in 1949. These reports indicate that precipitation exceeded 250mm in less than 24 hours, signifying the severity of this natural catastrophe. UAE is also among the finest nations known for its technology and architecture marvels, but many opinions surfaced from different nations relating that the country's cloud seeding practices had provoked the intense rainfall, falsely attributing it as the cause. However, subsequent reports refuted these claims and attributed the event to a natural catastrophe.

The intense rainfall and ensuing floods disrupted life in every corner of the UAE. The entire nation came to a standstill as the floods significantly affected daily activities. People endured being stranded for over 60 hours at various locations, particularly in the emirates of Dubai and Sharjah. The intense rain and floods resulted in significant car losses, with numerous vehicles washed away and maximum submerged underwater for over many days, signifying the severity of the catastrophe. However, the intense rainfall and floods also had a significant impact on travelers, with reports mentioning that nearly 400 flights were either delayed or canceled during the catastrophe. Despite the widespread detrimental impacts, quick response efforts from government authorities, NGOs, and the invaluable support of the general public played a crucial role in minimizing loss of life during this hardest time of the UAE. The majority of roads and services have been successfully restored to normal conditions, with some exceptions in areas such as Sharjah, where ongoing rescue and restoration efforts are still underway.

It is anticipated that these floods will now trigger a spike in waterborne diseases in UAE, as floods have dramatically increased the threat of waterborne diseases. Waterborne diseases, such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery and hepatitis A, are caused by microscopic organisms like viruses and bacteria. These organisms can be introduced to the body through contaminated water or by coming into contact with feces containing the virus. According to numerous reports, UAE is witnessing a surge in patients presenting with symptoms such as fever, diarrhea and dysentery and it is anticipated that there is further escalation in these cases in coming days. The post-flood situation also poses significant challenges for the healthcare system due the aftereffects of contaminated water and improper drainage. However, to mitigate these challenges, it is crucial for people to prioritize hygiene and sanitation practices. Meanwhile, it is anticipated that authorities will take steps to modify and upgrade the existing stormwater drainage system to deal with such worst raining and floods in future and to ensure a resilient and sustainable future and in the aftermath of this crisis, the UAE still stands poised to emerge stronger and more prepared to tackle future challenges. 

Any advice/recommendations on how to build more resilience among the communities dealing with this event is welcome.