Unusual Atmospheric Phenomena Bring Flood Threats to Oman's Northern Coast

Unusual atmospheric phenomena are bringing flood threats to Oman's northern coast, one of the driest regions in the world. According to a Washington Post investigation, moisture is now reaching Oman at rates more than one point five times the global average.

This dramatic shift has turned extreme rainfall into a recurrent source of catastrophe across the Arabian Peninsula. In the 126 years between 1881 and 2007, only six hurricane-strength storms hit Oman or came within 60 miles of the country.

However, at least four more have made landfall in the past 15 years alone. Research from Sultan Qaboos University analyzed eight thousand storms across 69 rainfall stations and found that half of all rain in Oman falls within the first 90 minutes of a 24-hour storm.

These intense bursts of rain quickly overwhelm the desert's ability to absorb water, leading to flash floods racing through wadis, which are normally dry riverbeds where many communities are built. In response to these increasing flood risks, Dubai is constructing an eight billion dollar underground stormwater network spanning more than 120 miles.

Oman has also agreed to build 58 new dams and is studying 14 major wadis that funnel to its al-Batinah coastline.