Dubai has approved the immediate implementation of a deep-tunnel drainage project designed to protect the emirate against flooding for the next 100 years.
The decision follows record rainfall in April 2024, which overwhelmed existing drainage systems and disrupted city life. The unprecedented event accelerated long-term plans, underscoring the need for smarter and future-ready infrastructure.
Speaking at the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum 2025, Dubai Municipality’s Acting Director General, Eng. Marwan Bin Ghalita, said the rainfall was a wake-up call.
“The recent rain incident may be a blessing from which we have learned a lot,” he remarked, praising the collaborative efforts of government and private entities during the crisis.
One of Dubai’s most ambitious infrastructure projects
The deep-tunnel drainage system will serve as a backbone for Dubai’s urban growth over the next century. Designed with a 100-year operational lifespan, it is one of the most ambitious infrastructure undertakings in the city’s history.
Bin Ghalita announced that work on design and implementation has already begun under the directives of the leadership. Importantly, the project will rely on public-private partnerships (PPPs), reflecting Dubai’s strategy of leveraging global expertise and investment.
“A project like this cannot be done without the private sector,” he explained. “Dubai as a brand is something everyone wants to collaborate with.”
Technology and data at the core
Beyond physical construction, Dubai Municipality is deploying advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map vulnerable zones and run simulations for targeted crisis management.
The authority is also strengthening data integration across government systems to ensure rapid emergency responses.
“When a crisis happens, you need data from everywhere,” Bin Ghalita stressed. “We are building not only tunnels and drainage but also robust databases to enable quick, informed decisions.”
The approval reflects Dubai’s broader vision of becoming the “world’s best city” through innovation, resilience, and collaboration. The forum, held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at Dubai World Trade Centre, gathered more than 1,000 leaders from government and private sectors to discuss strategies shaping the emirate’s future.
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