Business magnate Anand Mahindra recently engaged in a social media exchange with former Jet Airways CEO Sanjiv Kapoor regarding his comments on the flooding in Dubai. Kapoor criticized Mahindra’s comparison of Dubai’s flood situation with Mumbai’s monsoon rains, leading to a brief but notable discussion on social media platforms.

Anand Mahindra, chairman of the Mahindra Group, found himself at the center of a social media debate after he shared a video highlighting the flooding in Dubai by tweeting, ‘Nope. Not Mumbai. Dubai.’

This video sparked a response from Sanjiv Kapoor, the former CEO of Jet Airways, who deemed Mahindra’s analogy as ‘incorrect.’ Kapoor’s critique centered on the assertion that Dubai was not designed to handle heavy rains, unlike cities more accustomed to such weather phenomena.

Mahindra, in response to Kapoor’s comments, clarified that his intention was not to mock Dubai but rather to highlight the unusual weather event that the city was experiencing. He urged Kapoor and others to consider the context before reacting and emphasized the need for thoughtful reflection in online discourse.

The exchange between Mahindra and Kapoor unfolded on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where Kapoor initially expressed disagreement with Mahindra’s comparison. However, Kapoor later retracted his statement, acknowledging that Mahindra may not have intended to mock Dubai but rather draw attention to the exceptional nature of the weather event.

The flooding in Dubai, caused by unprecedented heavy rains and cloud seeding efforts, prompted widespread discussions about urban infrastructure and climate resilience. Experts weighed in on the challenges faced by cities like Dubai, which may not be adequately equipped to handle extreme weather conditions despite technological advancements.

Fatalities occurred, including a tragic incident in Ras al-Khaimah. Major infrastructure like airports and malls faced damages, with the Mall of the Emirates experiencing dramatic scenes as water gushed through its ceilings.

The storms also impacted transportation, with airport operations temporarily halted and commuters facing challenges navigating flooded roads. Authorities deployed measures to manage the excess water, highlighting the city’s efforts in crisis response.