Dubai Floods and the Wider Climate Crisis in Southeast Asia

Written by Ismail Weiliang and Yap Fung Tham, Senior Climate Risk and Resilience Consultant, Arup Singapore.

02 MAY 24

3 MINS READ

ISMAIL WEILIANG

The Climatebender

YAP FUNG THAM

Senior Climate Risk and Resilience Consultant

Views are entirely ours

and not connected to any company

Dubai Floods

April 16, 2024, marks a somber day in Dubai's history as the city faced an unprecedented deluge, leading to widespread flooding and tragic loss of life in neighboring Oman. This catastrophic event serves as a poignant reminder of the accelerating extreme weather phenomena fueled by the relentless force of climate change. The sheer intensity of the rainfall, exceeded the magnitude of a typical 1-in-100-year event at nearly six inches (152 mm) of rainfall within a 24-hour period. This underscores the alarming trajectory of amplified weather patterns propelled by escalating global temperatures. The catastrophic flooding in Dubai stands as a stark manifestation of the profound impacts of climate change, signaling a dire need for immediate and concerted action to mitigate its devastating consequences.

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Quick Take:

  • Dubai flood highlights climate change impact, urgent action needed to mitigate escalating weather events.

The Wider Climate Crisis in Southeast Asia

The relentless storm that unleashed its fury upon Dubai serves as a wake-up call not only for the region but also for Southeast Asia, where the deleterious effects of climate change are keenly felt. Southeast Asia, with its diverse landscapes and vulnerable ecosystems, is particularly susceptible to a myriad of climate hazards, ranging from recurrent heatwaves to catastrophic cyclones and floods. The recent spate of unprecedented heatwaves sweeping across the region shattered temperature records and inflicted untold suffering on communities already grappling with socio-economic challenges. Tragically, these extreme heat events resulted in the loss of lives, with fatalities reported due to heat-related illnesses and disruptions in essential services, further exacerbating the region's vulnerabilities.

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Quick Take:

  • Southeast Asia faces heatwaves, floods; urgent call for collective climate action.

Urgent action is needed

In the face of escalating climate risks, there is an urgent imperative for decisive and collective action. Governments, businesses, and individuals must come together to formulate and implement robust climate action plans aimed at mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change and enhancing the resilience of communities. This necessitates the deployment of innovative solutions and technologies, coupled with effective policy interventions, to address the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change. Enhanced climate change risk assessments are crucial for identifying vulnerable areas and devising targeted interventions to safeguard lives and livelihoods. Moreover, fostering international cooperation and solidarity is essential to mobilize resources and support for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, particularly in vulnerable regions like Southeast Asia. By prioritizing climate action and investing in sustainable development initiatives, we can pave the way for a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for present and future generations. Only through concerted and unwavering commitment can we effectively address the existential threat posed by climate change and chart a course towards a brighter tomorrow.

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Quick Take:

  • Urgent action is needed to improve the ecosystem for governance in climate financing for adaptation.

The recent flood in Dubai and heatwaves in Southeast Asia emphasize the urgent need to address climate change. It's crucial to prioritize sustainable development and implement effective adaptation and mitigation measures. By working together, we can build resilience, protect lives, and create a sustainable future. Now is the time for decisive action to combat climate change and secure a better future for all.

Reference:

  1. https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2024-04-17/record-rainfall-in-dubai-blame-climate-change-not-cloud-seeding/
  2. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-68839043/
  3. https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/publications/Asia-Pacific%20Disaster%20Report%202019_full%20version.pdf/
  4. https://www.apn-gcr.org/bulletin/article/climate-change-scenarios-over-southeast-asia/
  5. https://wmo.int/media/news/february-ends-extreme-and-unusual-heat/
  6. https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/19/asia/asia-heat-records-intl-hnk/index.html/
  7. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/1034601/three-year-old-child-dies-due-heat-stroke-nadma/
  8. https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240228-vietnam-s-rice-bowl-cracks-in-monster-heatwave/
  9. https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2024/04/1033500/hundreds-philippine-schools-suspend-classes-over-heat-danger/
  10. https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/244917/human-caused-climate-change-superheats-south-asia/
  11. https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/244917/human-caused-climate-change-superheats-south-asia/

Authors:

Yap Fung is a Senior Climate risk and resilience consultant from Arup, Singapore. He provides climate change risk and adaptation services and general sustainability advisory services, inclusive of conducting and automating climate change risk assessment in line with ISO standards and Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) recommendations, assisting businesses and organizations in their sustainability endeavors in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).


Ismail Weiliang is a consultant that provides technical advice on climate resilience with half a decade of experience in flood risk advisory for Asia. He also founded "The Climatebender” a non-profit organisation that provides humanitarian relief to communities vulnerable to the climate crisis.

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