Infrastructure Storm infrastructure upgrade for Abu Dhabi goes out to tender By Megha Merani October 7, 2024, 9:59 AM Reuters/Amr Alfiky Abu Dhabi is planning to improve its stormwater infrastructure Work comes after April’s floods Emirates ‘cannot afford to wait’ Dubai also investing Tenders to enhance storm infrastructure have been issued by Abu Dhabi in areas severely impacted by April’s rainfall, the heaviest in 75 years. The tenders include projects in Al Dhafra, such as upgrading rainwater drainage networks in Ghayathi, constructing a stormwater network in Delma City and designing a main stormwater line in Madinat Zayed. A tender issued by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport in June was aimed at studying urban planning with a focus on infrastructure resilience during storms. The study was ordered after the UAE president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, called for an urgent review of the nation’s infrastructure after the floods, which turned main roads into waterways, particularly in Dubai, and caused widespread damage to commercial and residential properties. Erin Grover, a Dubai-based adviser on climate technologies, emphasised the importance of immediate action. “We cannot afford to wait while communities continue to endure the devastating consequences of such events,” she said. “Delaying action only amplifies the risks and costs associated with future disasters.” Rail link to UAE will supercharge Oman’s port city of Sohar Masdar and TotalEnergies team up to produce SAF Heat-health warning system planned for Abu Dhabi In response to extreme rainfall in January 2020, Dubai pledged AED500 million ($136 million) to protect infrastructure from flooding. Babak Bozorgy, regional technical director for water at the engineering consultancy Stantec, who was involved in the design of the emirate’s $2.5 billion Deep Tunnel Storm Water System project, confirmed ongoing investments in stormwater drainage systems across Dubai. An engineer for such systems in Dubai, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AGBI in April that the UAE’s systems have been designed to weather storms, but no infrastructure can fully prevent flooding in extreme cases. “It’s a balance between risk and investment,” he said. “An improved system would cause less flooding.” Andrew Pershing, vice president of science at Climate Central in the UAE, said the research group has observed “strong warming” in the Middle East. “This year eventually will start to look like an average year,” he said.