Environment
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Dubai submerged in floods as UAE gets over a year’s worth of rain in hours
Heavy thunderstorms have lashed the United Arab Emirates (UAE), dumping more than a year and a half’s rain on the desert city-state of Dubai in just a few hours and flooding major highways and its international airport. The rains began late on Monday, soaking the sands and roads of Dubai with some 20mm (0.79 inches) of rain, according to meteorological data collected at Dubai International Airport. The storms intensified at about 9am (05:00 GMT) on Tuesday and continued throughout the day, dumping more rain and hail onto the overwhelmed city.By the end of Tuesday, more than 142mm (5.59 inches) had soaked Dubai. An average year sees 94.7mm (3.73 inches) of rain at Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel and a hub for the long-haul carrier Emirates. At the airport, pools of water lapped on taxiways as aircraft landed. The airport ended up halting arrivals on Tuesday night and passengers struggled to reach terminals through the floodwater covering surrounding roads. Dubai International Airport acknowledged on Wednesday morning that the flooding had left “limited transportation options” and affected flights as aircraft crews could not reach the airfield. Emirates said it was suspending check-in for passengers from Dubai International from 8am until midnight on Wednesday because of operational challenges resulting from the incessant rain. Recovery will take some time,” the airport said on the social platform.
Aljazeera: Dubai submerged in floods as UAE gets over a year’s worth of rain in hours April 18, 2024
Security
Middle East
Israel-Iran tensions live news: Explosions as ‘drones downed’ over Isfahan
Iran has fired air defence batteries to shoot down three drones over Isfahan, according to state media, as regional tensions rise following Iran’s retaliatory strike on Israel after an attack against its diplomatic premises in Syria.
Aljazeera: Israel-Iran tensions live news: Explosions as ‘drones downed’ over Isfahan April 19, 2024
Health
World
WHO approves new cholera vaccine that could help fight surge in cases
As the world faces a shortage of cholera vaccines, the World Health Organization (WHO) has approved a new oral version of the inoculation. The easier-to-make vaccine will help address a surge in cases of the bacterial disease that is usually spread through contaminated food or water. The depletion of the global vaccine stockpile has left poorer countries, including several in Africa, scrambling to contain epidemics. Left untreated, cholera can be fatal within hours, even in previously healthy people. The new version, called Euvichol-S, is a simplified formula that uses fewer ingredients, is cheaper, and can be made more quickly than the old version.
African News: WHO approves new cholera vaccine that could help fight surge in cases 19 April 2024
Health
Sahel
Deadly Sahel heatwave caused by ‘human-induced’ climate change
Mali and Burkina Faso recorded most extreme heat in what scientists called a once-in-a-200-year occurrence. Human-caused climate change contributed to an unusually intense and lethal hot spell throughout West Africa’s Sahel region in April, according to a study by World Weather Attribution (WWA), an international network of scientists focusing on extreme weather events.
Aljazeera: Deadly Sahel heatwave caused by ‘human-induced’ climate change April 19, 2024
