Dubai’s climate-controlled ‘Raining Street’ offers escape from summer heat

Under transparent umbrellas and to the sound of live music, visitors to a resort street in Dubai danced through  falling artificial rain on Thursday (August 6).

The rain is part of a climate-controlled area in the emirate, enduring its typical summer heat.

The one-kilometre boulevard, called Raining Street, stretches through the Cote d'Azur resort on Europe Island, part of Kleindienst Group's Heart of Europe development off the coast of Dubai.

Modelled on European architecture, the street was designed to let people enjoy the outdoors all year, managing partner Parisa Seif told Reuters.

"The Raining Street, the temperature is 27 degrees (80.6 Fahrenheit) while Dubai's temperature is 47 degrees (116.6 Fahrenheit)," said Seif.

On Raining Street, visitors could be seen dancing, with an entertainer singing. Awtar Al Marrakshi said rain was rare in Dubai and seeing it fall made her feel delighted.

"It's amazing. I feel happy. When I see rain coming down, I feel just happy. I just go and play down the rain."

Another visitor, Dalia, said the experience felt like walking through a European street.

The rainfall system uses German-engineered climate technology and allows visitors to enjoy rainfall all year round, according to Kleindienst Group’s website.

Camera, Production, Editing and Writing: Abdelhadi Ramahi/Reuters