Wed Jun 11 08:10:40 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Muhammed Sajjad, an Indian expatriate living in the UAE, missed the monsoon season of his native Kerala and began tracking rainfall in the desert. He uses weather data and satellite imagery to predict rain locations and organizes expeditions for other Indian expats seeking a taste of home. Despite the UAE’s low average rainfall, these rain-seekers venture into the desert, experiencing the joy and nostalgia of a rare desert downpour. Increasing extreme weather events in the UAE, potentially exacerbated by global warming, have also brought destructive floods.
**News Article:**
**Indian Expats in UAE Chase Desert Rain for a Taste of Home**
Sharjah, UAE – For Muhammed Sajjad, an Indian expatriate living in the United Arab Emirates, the longing for Kerala’s monsoon season led him on an unusual quest: tracking down rain in the arid desert. Using satellite imagery and weather data, Sajjad identifies potential rainfall spots and organizes expeditions for fellow Indian expats yearning for a reminder of home.
“When I came to the UAE, it was peak monsoon time in Kerala,” Sajjad told AFP. “So, I started to explore the possibility to chase the rain.”
Each week, Sajjad posts forecasts on his “UAE Weatherman” Instagram page, attracting over 130,000 followers. His excursions regularly draw caravans of vehicles filled with those eager to experience a rare desert downpour. Last weekend, a convoy of around 100 vehicles ventured from Sharjah into the desert, hoping to witness the elusive rain.
“They feel nostalgic,” Sajjad said, noting that most UAE residents are foreigners, with Indians comprising the largest expatriate community.
Despite the UAE’s average yearly rainfall of just 50 to 100 millimeters, the rain-seekers persisted, venturing deep into the desert. For Anagha, who was on her first desert expedition, the experience was exciting. “All of my family and friends are enjoying good rain and good climate, and we are living here in the hot sun,” she said.
However, the UAE’s increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, potentially exacerbated by global warming, also bring challenges. Just last year, the heaviest rains in 75 years caused devastating floods, disrupting life and claiming lives. “We couldn’t enjoy it because it was flooded all over UAE,” Anagha recalled.
Despite the risks, Sajjad and his fellow rain-lovers remain dedicated to their pursuit of the elusive desert rain, seeking a connection to their homeland amidst the arid landscape of the UAE.
First Piper 