Token2049, the annual conference focused on Web3 technology, is set to commence on Thursday, April 18. However, the city of Dubai, where the event is being held, is facing an unexpected challenge as heavy rainfall has caused chaos in the typically arid desert city.
Dubai usually receives a mere 9.5 centimeters of rain per year, but in just 24 hours between Monday and Tuesday evening, it experienced close to 15cm of rainfall. This unusual weather event has led to streets being transformed into rivers, cars being submerged, and flights being diverted. Videos and clips of the unprecedented situation have flooded social media, capturing the extent of the flooding and the challenges faced by visitors to the conference.
Dubai International Airport, the second busiest airport in the world, with an annual passenger count of 87 million, has even advised travelers not to come, marking a first for the desert nation.
Despite the inconveniences caused by the heavy rainfall, the organizers of Token2049 have decided to proceed with the event as planned. They are hopeful that the return of the expected weather for this time of year, with blue skies and temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius, will help the city recover and resume normal operations.
Cointelegraph’s reporter Ezra Reguerra is in Dubai to cover the event and has shared striking videos of the city in the aftermath of the storms.
Token2049 will take place from April 18-19, 2024, at the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel in Dubai. Considered one of the premier global events for the Web3 and crypto community, this year’s conference marks the first time it is being held in Dubai. Tickets sold out well in advance, and the event is expected to attract 10,000 attendees from over 4,000 companies and 100 countries.
The conference will feature a diverse range of topics, including decentralized AI, Web3 gaming, DeFi, and blockchain scalability. As expected from Dubai, the event will also include exhibitions, live DJ sets, and top-notch hospitality.
Token2049 actually kicked off on April 15 with a week-long series of meetups, workshops, and parties. The second Token2049 event of the year is scheduled to take place in Singapore in September.