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Executive overview
Key findings
Under 100 mm: average annual rainfall (national, as quoted by the National Center of Meteorology, January 2026)
722 to 3,904 km²: land in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi inundated under 1 m to 9 m sea-level-rise scenarios (2010 projection)
More than 80 million m³: rainwater the Department of Municipalities and Transport managed within a week of the late-March 2026 heavy rain (as reported, 8 April 2026)
AED 11 billion: allocated to five public-private partnership projects including dams, water storage, flood control and stormwater upgrades (announced 11 May 2026; to market in 2026–2027)
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Buyer relevance
Who the report is for
Flood, drainage and dam contractors
Prepare for the five AED 11 billion PPP projects for dams, water storage, flood control and stormwater coming to market in 2026–2027.
Owners and insurers of coastal water assets
Set the sea-level scenarios, which inundate 722 to 3,904 km² of the emirate, against the coastal location of the plants serving the capital.
Water planners and regulators
Link the 100 million m³ a year rainwater-capture target and the 500 million m³ groundwater cut to flood and drainage programmes.
Climate and ESG advisers
Separate Abu Dhabi's limited rainfall-drought exposure from its flood, heat and groundwater risks when assessing water resilience.
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Decision scope
Questions answered
Is Abu Dhabi's water supply exposed to drought?
Potable supply is desalinated; a 2010 study found climate change adds only about 3% to 2050 demand, while groundwater, about 60% of all water used, is pumped at up to 20 times recharge.
How large are recent flood events?
Within a week of the late-March 2026 heavy rain the Department of Municipalities and Transport managed more than 80 million m³ of rainwater, deploying 2,400+ personnel and 610 tankers.
What is being invested in flood resilience?
AED 11 billion is allocated to five PPP projects including dams, water storage, flood control and stormwater upgrades, announced on 11 May 2026.
What do climate projections show?
The UAE's 2010 national communication projects +2.1 to +2.8 °C by 2050 and inundation of 722 to 3,904 km² of the emirate under 1 m to 9 m sea-level-rise scenarios.
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Inside the report
Inside the complete report
Executive Snapshot
1. Why This Matters Now in Abu Dhabi
2. Current Position
3. Key Programmes, Projects and Investment
4. Policy, Regulation and Institutions
5. Risks and Constraints
6. Strategic Implications
7. What to Watch
Source Register
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Public preview
What to watch next
1. Why This Matters Now in Abu Dhabi
Tender launches for the five water and flood PPP projects.
2. Current Position
Updated downscaled projections for the emirate from the National Center of Meteorology or EAD.
3. Key Programmes, Projects and Investment
ADIO and ADPIC procurement notices naming the five water and flood projects.
5. Risks and Constraints
Publication of the DMT taskforce's findings on the April 2024 storm.
Section 3: adaptation programmes and investment, from the AED 11 billion PPP water and flood projects to drainage guidelines, groundwater measures and mangroves.
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Included
What you receive
The complete PDF report: 9 pages, 9 sections, 7 tables and a register of 19 sources.
This edition
November 2026, First edition.
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Evidence & method
Evidence and method
The brief draws on the UAE's national climate communication to the UNFCCC, Department of Municipalities and Transport and Quality and Conformity Council statements, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office PPP announcement, DoE and EAD water and groundwater strategies, EAD's mangrove and climate strategy releases, and water-sector data from the DoE and EWEC, checked to 11 November 2026.
Sources
19 sources, listed in the report's source register. Evidence current to 11 November 2026. Principal data periods: climate projections from the UAE's 2010 national communication; storm events of April 2024 and March 2026; water-sector data for 2023; programme status as of 11 November 2026. Currency: UAE dirham (AED)..
Evidence boundaries
This report uses authoritative source material available at the stated research cutoff. It distinguishes published facts, calculated values and analytical interpretation. No independent modelling is performed. Forward-looking analysis reflects published plans, documented trends and stated uncertainties. It does not constitute legal, financial, investment or engineering advice.
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Lead analyst
Robert C. Brears
Founder, Our Future Water Intelligence
Robert C. Brears is a water-security specialist and author whose work examines utility governance, infrastructure investment, climate resilience and long-term water-system change for executive and policy audiences.
- Decision-focused utility intelligence
- Published water-policy author
- Evidence-grounded system analysis
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Buyer FAQs
Before you purchase
Who can use the report?
Licensed for internal use within one purchasing organization. The PDF and its contents may be shared with colleagues within that organization. External redistribution, resale and public publication are prohibited without permission.
How is the report delivered?
The PDF is available to download immediately after confirmed payment, through our secure delivery system.
Can my organization buy wider access?
Institutional purchasing: For invoice enquiries, multi-organization licensing or broader access requirements, contact Our Future Water Intelligence.
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Climate Resilience: Drought and Flood Risk in Abu Dhabi
- Format
- Length
- 9 pages
- Edition
- November 2026, First edition
- Price
- USD 249
11
Report details
Publication details
- Publisher
- Our Future Water Intelligence
- Report family
- Insight Brief
- Edition
- November 2026, First edition
- Format
- Length
- 9 pages
- Reference
- OFW_EXT_CLIMATE_RESILIENCE_DROUGHT_AND_FLOOD_RISK_IN_ABU_DHABI_065c9639466f
- Evidence current to
- 11 November 2026
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