Qatar – Flash Floods After Year’s Worth of Rain in One Day

Thunderstorms and rare torrential rain caused flooding across the Persian Gulf State of Qatar on Saturday 20 October, 2018.

The desert state received a year’s worth of rainfall in one day. Qatar’s Meteorology Department (Civil Aviation Authority) figures showed that Abu Hamor in the capital Doha recorded 84mm of rain in less than 6 hours on 20 October.

Rainfall in Qatar, 20 October 2018. Image: Qatar Civil Aviation Authority / Qatar Meteorology Department

According to World Meteorological Organization figures (WMO) the October average rainfall for Doha is 1.1mm and the annual average is 75.2 mm.

The rain caused roads to flood, resulting in severe traffic disruption. Social media images showed cars almost completely submerged. Buildings were damaged, schools closed and some flights had to be diverted.

Further rain is likely as thunderstorms remain in pats of the northern Arabian Gulf. On 22 October, Qatar Meteorology Department said that marine warnings are still in effect due to unsettled weather conditions.

Although rare, this level of rainfall in Qatar is not unprecedented. Parts of the country saw heavy rainfall and floods in late November, 2015. Qatar Meteorology Department said 80.8 mm of rain fell at Hamad International Airport in Doha.

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Flood Summary

Last updated: November 2, 2018
Event
Middle East – Qatar, Syria, Iran, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, October 2018
Date
October 20 to October 31, 2018
Type
Flash flood
Cause
Extreme rainfall
Unusually heavy rain across parts of the Middle East between 20 and 27 October, 2018 caused flooding in Qatar, Syria, Iran and Jordan, where at least 21 people died, and Saudi Arabia, where around 14 people lost their lives.

Locations

A - Abu Hamor (Qatar)
B - Doha (Qatar)
C - Zarqa Ma'in, Jordan (Jordan)
D - Amman (Jordan)
E - Hassakeh (Syria)
F - Ilam (Iran)
G - Mazandaran (Iran)
H - Lorestan (Iran)
I - Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)
J - Makkah (Saudi Arabia)
K - Eastern Province (Saudi Arabia)
L - Asir (Saudi Arabia)
M - Tabuk (Saudi Arabia)
N - Al-Baha (Saudi Arabia)
O - Jazan (Saudi Arabia)
P - Hail (Saudi Arabia)

Magnitude

Rainfall level
84 mm in 24 hours
Abu Hamor, Doha, Qatar - October 20 to October 20, 2018
Qatar Meteorology Department figures
Rainfall level
99 mm in 24 hours
Salahaddin, Iraq - October 24 to October 25, 2018
WMO figures
Rainfall level
16 mm in 24 hours
Irbid, Jordan - October 25 to October 26, 2018
Figures for Jordan via Ogimet
Rainfall level
9 mm in 24 hours
Amman Airport, Jordan - October 25 to October 26, 2018
Mean Total Rainfall for October in Amman is 6.6 mm
Rainfall level
10.8 mm in 24 hours
Ma'An, Jordan - October 25 to October 26, 2018
Rainfall level
31.4 mm in 24 hours
Kamishli, Syria - October 25 to October 26, 2018
Figures for Syria via Ogimet. Mean Total October Rainfall for Kamishli / Qamishli is 18mm
Rainfall level
30 mm in 24 hours
Safita, Syria - October 25 to October 26, 2018
Rainfall level
35 mm in 24 hours
Omidieh, Iran - October 26 to October 27, 2018
Figures for Iran via Ogimet.
Rainfall level
31 mm in 24 hours
Gach Saran Du Gunbadan, Iran - October 26 to October 27, 2018
Rainfall level
31 mm in 24 hours
Kharg, Iran - October 26 to October 27, 2018
Rainfall level
44 mm in 24 hours
Babulsar, Iran - October 27 to October 28, 2018
Rainfall level
92.2 mm in 24 hours
Anzali, Iran - November 1 to November 2, 2018
WMO figures

Damages

Buildings damaged
500 buildings
Qatar - October 20 to October 20, 2018
Estimated figure. Media reports said that roads and buildings were damaged, schools closed and some flights had to be diverted.
Fatalities
21 people
Jordan - October 25 to October 26, 2018
Fatalities
14 people
Saudi Arabia - October 20 to October 31, 2018
Civil Defense said one of the deaths occurred in Riyadh, four cases were recorded in Makkah, two in the Eastern Province, one in Asir, one in Tabuk, three in Al-Baha, one in Jazan and one in Hail.
Rescued
299 people
Saudi Arabia - October 20 to October 31, 2018
Civil Defense forces rescued 299 stranded people, including 115 in Makkah.
Affected
2,000
Hassakeh, Syria - October 26 to October 31, 2018
Estimated figure
Affected
1,172
Iran - October 26 to October 31, 2018
Evacuated
177 people
Iran - October 26 to October 31, 2018
Iran Red Crescent said that at least 68 homes were damaged and 177 people displaced.