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Texas reports record flooding amid ongoing drought

Woman killed in Dallas County after car swept away in 'one-in-200-year' meteorological event

The National

August 23, 2022

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A massive rainstorm in North Texas drenched parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth area with more than 30 centimetres of rain, swamping roads and triggering flash flood warnings, in what one expert called a “one-in-200-year event”.

A woman, 60, died after floodwaters fed by torrential rainfall swept away her car, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins reported on Monday.

He declared a state of disaster in the county, following an intense storm that dropped more than 23cm of rain at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

This was the second wettest 24-hour period in the airport’s history, said the National Weather Service.

“It fell too fast, too furious,” said Jonathan Porter, chief meteorologist at commercial forecaster Accuweather.

Climate change has fuelled more frequent historic rains and flooding, since a warmer atmosphere tends to support greater moisture, which has led to an acceleration of these kinds of extreme rainfall events, Mr Porter said.

Police in Fort Worth responded to more than 50 water-related emergencies overnight and the city’s fire department asked people to stay at home.

Photos posted online show cars submerged to their windscreens and motorways that looked like rivers.

Parts of Dallas received more than 35cm of rain on Monday, city records showed.

“It’s a one-in-200-year event, at least,” said Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist at commercial forecaster WeatherTiger.

“That's not normal, by any means.”

Average annual rainfall in the area is about 89cm, so some neighbourhoods had as much rain as would normally fall in four months, he said.

The period before the downpour was abnormally dry, with less than 2.5cm of rain in July and August up until a few days ago, Mr Truchelut said.

What has been revealed by droughts globally — in pictures

The remains of the submerged Gary Qasruka village abandoned 36 years ago, which have resurfaced after falling water levels at the Dohuk Dam due to drought, in the autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq. AFP
The remains of the submerged Gary Qasruka village abandoned 36 years ago, which have resurfaced after falling water levels at the Dohuk Dam due to drought, in the autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq. AFP
The tall bleached 'bathtub ring' is visible on the rocky banks of Lake Powell at Reflection Canyon in Utah, as severe drought grips parts of the western US. Getty Images
The tall bleached 'bathtub ring' is visible on the rocky banks of Lake Powell at Reflection Canyon in Utah, as severe drought grips parts of the western US. Getty Images
The dolmen of Guadalperal, also known as the Spanish Stonehenge, is seen due to the receding water of the Valdecanas reservoir near El Gordo, Spain. Reuters
The dolmen of Guadalperal, also known as the Spanish Stonehenge, is seen due to the receding water of the Valdecanas reservoir near El Gordo, Spain. Reuters
A shopping cart rusts on a sandbank in the Rhine, exposed by the low tide in Bonn, Germany. Reuters
A shopping cart rusts on a sandbank in the Rhine, exposed by the low tide in Bonn, Germany. Reuters
A formerly sunken boat sits upright along the shoreline at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Boulder City, Nevada. EPA
A formerly sunken boat sits upright along the shoreline at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Boulder City, Nevada. EPA
The Kloental lake's low water level in Glarus, Switzerland. EPA
The Kloental lake's low water level in Glarus, Switzerland. EPA
Houses of the former village of Aceredo, in Galicia, Spain. The village was buried under water due to the construction of a reservoir in 1992, yet in 2021 the village resurfaced due to a drought. EPA
Houses of the former village of Aceredo, in Galicia, Spain. The village was buried under water due to the construction of a reservoir in 1992, yet in 2021 the village resurfaced due to a drought. EPA
The wreck of a ship that sank during the Second World War is revealed by the unusually low water level of the River Danube near Vamosszabadi, in north-western Hungary. EPA
The wreck of a ship that sank during the Second World War is revealed by the unusually low water level of the River Danube near Vamosszabadi, in north-western Hungary. EPA
A view of the Roman camp Aquis Querquennis, located on the banks of the Limia river in the As Conchas reservoir, in Ourense, Spain. The camp is usually underwater but can now be seen due to the low level of the reservoir. EPA
A view of the Roman camp Aquis Querquennis, located on the banks of the Limia river in the As Conchas reservoir, in Ourense, Spain. The camp is usually underwater but can now be seen due to the low level of the reservoir. EPA
Visitors on the salt flats watching the sunset over the Great Salt Lake, Utah. The lake has lost 50 per cent of its volume since the arrival of Mormon pioneers in 1847. EPA
Visitors on the salt flats watching the sunset over the Great Salt Lake, Utah. The lake has lost 50 per cent of its volume since the arrival of Mormon pioneers in 1847. EPA
A buoy sits high and dry on cracked earth previously under the waters of Lake Mead at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area near Boulder City, Nevada. AP Photo
A buoy sits high and dry on cracked earth previously under the waters of Lake Mead at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area near Boulder City, Nevada. AP Photo
Robert Smithson's earthwork 'Spiral Jetty' on the shore of Great Salt Lake, Utah. Constructed in 1970, the work remained submerged until 2002, when a mega-drought began to afflict the region. EPA
Robert Smithson's earthwork 'Spiral Jetty' on the shore of Great Salt Lake, Utah. Constructed in 1970, the work remained submerged until 2002, when a mega-drought began to afflict the region. EPA
A tire sits on dried land that was once under water at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Boulder City, Nevada. EPA
A tire sits on dried land that was once under water at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Boulder City, Nevada. EPA
The Virgen de los Dolores (Our lady of Sorrows) Temple in Guanajuato state, Mexico. The temple, built in 1898, was flooded 40 years ago to build a dam. Heavy drought in the region has exposed its structure again. EPA
The Virgen de los Dolores (Our lady of Sorrows) Temple in Guanajuato state, Mexico. The temple, built in 1898, was flooded 40 years ago to build a dam. Heavy drought in the region has exposed its structure again. EPA

Bloomberg contributed to this report

More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

Tomorrow 2021
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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
THE%20SWIMMERS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESally%20El-Hosaini%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENathalie%20Issa%2C%20Manal%20Issa%2C%20Ahmed%20Malek%20and%20Ali%20Suliman%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Major honours

ARSENAL

  • FA Cup - 2005

BARCELONA

  • La Liga - 2013
  • Copa del Rey - 2012
  • Fifa Club World Cup - 2011

CHELSEA

  • Premier League - 2015, 2017
  • FA Cup - 2018
  • League Cup - 2015

SPAIN

  • World Cup - 2010
  • European Championship - 2008, 2012
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
 
  • Grade 9 = above an A*
  • Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
  • Grade 7 = grade A
  • Grade 6 = just above a grade B
  • Grade 5 = between grades B and C
  • Grade 4 = grade C
  • Grade 3 = between grades D and E
  • Grade 2 = between grades E and F
  • Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Tips%20for%20holiday%20homeowners
%3Cp%3EThere%20are%20several%20factors%20for%20landlords%20to%20consider%20when%20preparing%20to%20establish%20a%20holiday%20home%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3ERevenue%20potential%20of%20the%20unit%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20location%2C%20view%20and%20size%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EDesign%3A%20furnished%20or%20unfurnished.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Is%20the%20design%20up%20to%20standard%2C%20while%20being%20catchy%20at%20the%20same%20time%3F%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EBusiness%20model%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20will%20it%20be%20managed%20by%20a%20professional%20operator%20or%20directly%20by%20the%20owner%2C%20how%20often%20does%20the%20owner%20wants%20to%20use%20it%20for%20personal%20reasons%3F%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EQuality%20of%20the%20operator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20guest%20reviews%2C%20customer%20experience%20management%2C%20application%20of%20technology%2C%20average%20utilisation%2C%20scope%20of%20services%20rendered%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20Adam%20Nowak%2C%20managing%20director%20of%20Ultimate%20Stay%20Vacation%20Homes%20Rental%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

What are NFTs?

Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.

You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”

However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.

This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”

This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.

Newcastle United 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2
Tottenham (Alli 61'), Davies (70')
Red card Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle)

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Tomorrow 2021
Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

Updated: August 23, 2022, 6:07 PM`
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