The images, taken by NASA’s Terra satellite, show the extent of the floods, which have turned the desert landscape into a vast blue expanse. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured the images of the floods on January 24, 2024, two days after the storm. The floodwaters appear bright blue-green in the false-color image, while the bare desert ground is pink. The images also show streaks of green plants along the Wadi al Hamd, which flows by the city from the northwest.
The floods in the UAE are not an isolated incident. The Arabian Peninsula has experienced flooding in the past, including in Saudi Arabia in 2005 and in the southeastern part of the peninsula in 2012. These floods have been linked to changes in land cover, which can affect the way water flows over the land surface.
Urbanization and Land Cover Change
Research has shown that urbanization and land cover change can increase the risk of flooding in urban areas. For example, a study in Sharjah, UAE, found that urban expansion had a significant impact on runoff and potential flooding in the city. The study used satellite images combined with rainfall data and field observations to assess the spatial and temporal changes in urban flooding.
Green Roof Systems
Another study in Sharjah found that green roof systems could help mitigate flash-flood disasters by reducing runoff and increasing infiltration. The study used a geographic information system (GIS)-based assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of green roof systems in reducing the risk of flooding.