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Token2049 Dubai has been submerged by rampant floods caused by the largest amount of rainfall in the country for over 75 years.
Held between 18-19 April 2024, Token2049 attracted crypto fans from around the world to the UAE in the days ahead of the conference.
Video footage from the conference, located at Madinat Jumeirah Conference & Events Centre, shows the event hall floors flooded with ankle-deep water as attendees walk between the booths.
Kept hearing habibi come to Dubai for the past couple of days 🫠
— Yogesh Kumar (@itsyogesh18) April 16, 2024
I had no idea habibi meant rain 🌝#TOKEN2049
pic.twitter.com/HsMamko3o2
Other footage shows vehicles, including exotic cars being stranded on nearby roads which were heavily flooded.
Meanwhile in Dubai, @rollsroycecars stuck in the Flood. 🌊🐳#token2049 #dubai #web3 #crypto #travel #flood #rolls pic.twitter.com/hKD4ilyxXr
— Brent Fulfer (Pre-Seed VC) (@Brent_Fulfer) April 16, 2024
"Cars were floating away faster than they could be abandoned, and buildings were crumbling. Taxis obviously were out of the question, and the city’s public transportation infrastructure had collapsed under the strain," writes a Decrypt reporter, Sander Lutz, of the experience.
Lutz recalls how he was unable to retrieve his baggage and unable to reach his hotel.
So not only did @Loxley_eth and I get caught in the storm trying fetching food (and cigarettes) for our team, we came back to a flooded house!
— Farokh (發咯) (@farokh) April 16, 2024
We wanted to do more team bonding at @RugRadio and now we got it!
Habibi… come to Dubai? 😅☔️ pic.twitter.com/KHYyd6F8YZ
Token2049 offered little support or guidance for its attendees other than informing them of their own struggles and polls asking how conferencegoers were getting around, even when Dubai Airport advised travellers to stay away from the airport.
"The build goes on at #TOKEN2049Dubai. Our team is working around the clock to finalise our most immersive event setup yet," Token2049 tweeted.
⚠️We advise you NOT to come to the airport, unless absolutely necessary.
— DXB (@DXB) April 17, 2024
Flights continue to be delayed and diverted. Please check your flight status directly with your airline.
We are working hard to recover operations as quickly as possible in very challenging conditions.
The build goes on at #TOKEN2049Dubai. Our team is working around the clock to finalise our most immersive event setup yet.
— TOKEN2049 (@token2049) April 16, 2024
If you’re in Dubai and have braved the weather today: Tomorrow’s forecast is sunny and clear, and our TOKEN2049 hospitality awaits 18 April 💜 pic.twitter.com/P0lrnQUGfB
gm 🌅
— TOKEN2049 (@token2049) April 16, 2024
Dry and sunny weather forecasted for the rest of #TOKEN2049Week ☀️
But how are you getting around Dubai today? ☔️
Of course, Token2049 is limited in its power, especially against the mighty strength of nature, but those looking for help and information were also left stranded.
The event is still scheduled to proceed with the hopes that the worst of the rain is over.
Many are still stranded around the surrounding region including Saudi Arabia and Oman.
According to DL News, record-breaking rainstorms flooded Dubai, disrupting the travel plans of Token 2049 attendees, and the entire city fell into chaos, with many travelers stranded in Saudi Arabia or Oman. https://t.co/ksgFxqbV8e
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) April 18, 2024
Some gave up and returned to their home countries, including Nansen CEO, Alex Svanevik, who said, “I cut my losses and went back to Singapore. “I’ll do my keynote virtually.”
Hearing stories of people still stuck in Muscat! Some for as much as 20+ more hours 😳
— Alex Svanevik 🐧 (@ASvanevik) April 17, 2024
I cut my losses and went back to SG.
Sending thoughts to the @token2049 team and others impacted - very frustrating situation.
Sincerely hope everyone who made it to Dubai will have a great…
Nonetheless, crypto fans who made it to Dubai endured the storm and powered on to attend the event.
Well finally made it to hack the season by @mpost_io after being stranded in a cab for 45 minutes 🥲
— adityabhansali.eth | Token2049🇦🇪 (@1Adityabhansali) April 17, 2024
If you are here come and say hi to team @LighthouseWeb3
AMD let's see how we can optimize your data storage needs pic.twitter.com/5t486PJm6k
It wasn't easy but we made it! @token2049 PS: Pushing a taxi out of quicksand while you are also trapped on a flooded highway comes with some consequnces 🐪 pic.twitter.com/gHMO0az0me
— AI Nexus (@_AI_Nexus) April 18, 2024
For my fellow @token2049 Dubai attendees, it’s been a tough 24 hours and most of us either ourselves or our team members have been stranded at various places. Good news is the Sun is finally shining and I have no doubt the ones here and will be here will have a great experience.… pic.twitter.com/8VixZVsuZU
— Melody He (@melmelmelting) April 17, 2024
gm ☕️
— Danilo (@danicerullo) April 17, 2024
yesterday felt like in a simulation lol
- stuck in a metro station for hours
- hitchhiking in a mall because no uber/taxi available
- 5 different drivers in total
- two flooded cars on the way
- 12h to get to the hotel
Dubai I am ready ☀️ pic.twitter.com/jaX5pT5u17
There's always Token2049 Singapore to look forward to!
