Last week, the UAE witnessed a record-breaking downpour. The rainfall, the heaviest in the country’s 75-year history, flooded many areas in the UAE, damaged infrastructure, and paralyzed much of the country.

Grappling with the aftermath, a week after unprecedented torrential rains lashed the Arabian Peninsula, the UAE announced a $544 million commitment to repair Emirati families’ homes.

Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum acknowledged the challenges faced during the crisis, stating, “We learned great lessons in dealing with severe rains.”

Sheikh Mohammed, who also serves as Dubai’s ruler, revealed the formation of a ministerial committee to oversee compensation distribution “in cooperation with the rest of the federal and local authorities.”

A second committee was established to assess infrastructure damage and propose solutions. While the storm subsided last Wednesday, Dubai grappled with flooded homes and impassable roads for several days.

The National Centre of Meteorology reported a staggering 254mm of rain in 24 hours within Al Ain’s Khatm Al Shakla region, exceeding the UAE’s typical annual average of 140-200mm.

The normally dry desert country in the Gulf was pummeled with roughly a year’s worth of rain in less than a day. 

Despite cleanup efforts, some Dubai areas remained submerged nearly a week later. Dubai airport operations were severely disrupted, experiencing over 2,155 flight cancellations, 115 diversions, and a delayed recovery to full capacity.

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan initiated an urgent infrastructure review in response to the crisis. Additionally, Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, directed the emirate’s property developers to restore normalcy within flood-ravaged communities at no additional cost to tenants.

Last week, Sheikh Hamdan unveiled a $21.7 billion sewerage system as part of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

The UAE’s central bank has issued a directive to local banks and insurance companies to allow loan repayment deferrals of six months, in an effort to help flood-hit residents and businesses.