Floods in Qatar as almost a year’s rain falls in one day
Team Udayavani, Oct 21, 2018, 11:34 AM IST
Doha: Qatar was hit by widespread flash flooding on Saturday as the desert state received almost a year’s worth of rainfall in one day.
Roads became impassable, air traffic was disrupted and homes were flooded, while shops and universities closed. Qatar broadcaster Al Jazeera’s senior meteorologist, Steff Gaulter, tweeted that one part of the capital Doha had experienced almost a year’s worth of rain on Saturday.
“Abu Hamor (a suburb) now reporting 59.8mm. (Doha average annual rainfall is 77mm.),” she wrote. By early evening it was estimated that 61mm of rain had fallen.
Qatar Airways was forced to divert some flights, creating logistical headaches, as neighbours Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain are among states that do not allow Doha to use their airspace, due to an ongoing diplomatic rift.
Some Qatar-bound flights were forced to divert to Kuwait and Iran and the airline warned its passengers to expect further problems.
“Due to weather conditions over Doha, flights are subject to delays for departure and arrivals,” Qatar Airways said on Twitter.
Qatar’s public works authority issued a warning to drivers to avoid tunnels because of the flooding.
Social media in Qatar showed cars almost completely submerged under water, after thunderstorms over Doha.
Other footage showed rainwater running downstairs inside buildings as workers desperately tried to mop up.
Qatar’s National Library, not yet a year old, was forced to close and said it would remain shut on Sunday to ensure the “safety of our users”.
The US embassy also said it would be closed on Sunday, “due to weather conditions”.
The extent of the flooding may cause concern for the authorities who have spent billions on major infrastructure projects ahead of hosting the World Cup in 2022.
Some sought to downplay the disruption, joking online there was now no need for Saudi Arabia to dig a canal around Qatar — an apparent threat made by Riyadh as part of the continuing political tensions — because the flooding had done the neighbouring power’s job for it.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Will impose 25 per cent tariff on all imports from Canada, Mexico: Trump
Internal divisions leave open question whether Gandhi’s vision will ever be fully realised in India: Bill Clinton
COP29: India rejects new USD 300 billion climate finance deal
Royal tour of India in offing for King Charles, Queen Camilla: Report
Indian-American leaders applaud PM Modi for inclusive growth in India
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Constitution provided roadmap for progress: Delhi HC Chief Justice Manmohan
Cong seeks to capitalise on Kerala BJP infighting; woos disgruntled leaders
Independence will be jeopardised if parties place creed above country, says Dhankhar
Cong seeks to capitalise on Kerala BJP infighting; woos disgruntled leaders
Adityanath calls for following ideals of Constitution; Akhilesh slams BJP for ‘political duplicity’
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.