Shows run every hour from 9am to 12pm and then from 5pm to 11pm.
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Release Date: Monday, July 22, 2024 at 6am
The developers of Sharjah’s much talked about “rain street” have vowed to use special equipment to cool the hourly downpours. In an interview with Khaleej Times, Obaid Al Tunaiji said he and his team noticed that the water used for the artificial rain was warm.
“We want the rain to be colder so the water temperature can drop even further so people can enjoy it more,” the Emiratis said.
Sharjah’s palm-lined Zawaya Walk has been a social media hit since it offered a free artificial rain show to all visitors. It incorporates thunder-like sound effects to give visitors a more realistic experience, and each downpour lasts for around five minutes. The show runs hourly from 9AM to 12PM, and then again from 5PM to 11PM.
Al-Tunaiji said the water used for artificial rainfall was “clean and sterilized.”
This shopping destination has become a popular hangout spot due to its free rain show as well as retailers, shops, restaurants, and cafes. The open complex features an open-air walkway, an artificial lake, and a crossing bridge that connects the two ends of the building.
How the Rain Show Started
Al Tunaiji, along with other developers, had noticed consistently low visitor numbers during the summer months. “We started brainstorming how to attract visitors in the summer months as well. The first step was to plant trees that would provide shade and reduce the heat,” he said.
More than 300 trees have been planted in recent months to create a cooler atmosphere.
The developers also considered using misting fans, which spray water to create a cooling effect, but Al Tunaiji worried that the air would become humid and uncomfortable for visitors.
They then began discussing the possibility of making it rain artificially, since rain normally “cools the atmosphere.”
Once the idea was finalised, they didn’t hire a specialist company to execute it, instead their team of engineers executed the plans in a way that “suited the requirements of the site”.
Summer is at its peak in the UAE, with temperatures across the country reaching over 50 degrees Celsius and most establishments switching their operations indoors. Luckily, outdoor spots like Zawaya Walk mean you can still enjoy the sun without feeling the heat.