Infrastructure Abu Dhabi tenders more stormwater projects By Megha Merani February 24, 2025, 12:05 PM Alamy/Fahd Khan via Reuters A rainy day in Abu Dhabi. The damage caused by record rainfall across the UAE in 2024 is estimated to have cost $8.5bn Drainage improvement plans Region can expect more floods 2024 rain heaviest in 75 years Abu Dhabi has again invited companies to bid for stormwater drainage and flood mitigation projects. Record rainfall last year caused more than $8.5 billion of physical and economic damage in the UAE and wider region. The neighbouring emirate of Dubai, which was also hard-hit by the April floods, subsequently approved drainage-improvement plans worth $8.2 billion. Four people in the UAE were killed in the floods. Dubai was forced to close its international airport, the world’s busiest. Abu Dhabi however kept its airport open throughout. In the latest tenders, the government of Abu Dhabi is seeking bids for projects including stormwater outfall diversions, the design and construction of a stormwater-discharge network, and groundwater table reduction to curb surface-level flooding. Climate experts warn that extreme weather events are likely to become more frequent in the region. “We’ve observed strong warming in the Middle East,” said Andrew Pershing, vice president of science at Climate Central, a US-based independent group of scientists who study the impact of climate change. “What seems extreme today will start to look like an average year.” Almost one year after floods, UAE insurance costs keep surging UAE president orders review after flooding Emaar promises free repairs as Dubai launches sewerage system Though a desert environment, it can rain in the UAE generally from November through April. Last April’s rains were the heaviest in 75 years since records began. Homes and highways were submerged and property and auto insurance losses reached nearly $3 billion, according to re-insurer Gallagher. Abu Dhabi earlier issued tenders targeting flood-prone areas in its western Al Dhafra region, including upgrades to rainwater drainage, the construction of a stormwater network and the design of a main stormwater line.
