 "28 Indian flights cancelled as heavy rain, storm cause travel chaos in Dubai")
As many as 28 Indian flights - 15 Dubai-bound and 13 to India, have been cancelled as Middle East’s financial centre has been paralysed by heavy rain and storm causing widespread flooding across the UAE.
According to an NDTV report, over 500 flights - both inbound and outbound - have been diverted or cancelled amid forecast of more rain and storms today, with Indian aviation authorities cancelling about 15 flights bound for Dubai, while 13 flights to India.
“Flights continue to be delayed and diverted. We are working hard to recover operations as quickly as possible in very challenging conditions,” an NDTV report quoted a Dubai Airports spokesperson as saying.
Heavy thunderstorms lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, dumping the heaviest rain ever recorded in the country in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and Dubai’s international airport.
The state-run WAM news agency called the rain “a historic weather event” that surpassed “anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949.”
The rains began late Monday, soaking the sands and roadways of Dubai with some 20 millimeters (0.79 inches) of rain, according to meteorological data collected at Dubai International Airport. The storms intensified around 9 a.m. local Tuesday and continued throughout the day, dumping more rain and hail onto the overwhelmed city.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsBy the end of Tuesday, more than 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) of rain at Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel and a hub for the long-haul carrier Emirates.
Meanwhile, Dubai’s flagship Emirates Airline said it is halting all check-ins for passengers for the day as bad weather in Dubai has caused a travel chaos.
“Emirates is working hard to restore our scheduled operations, and our teams will provide all possible support to affected customers,” NDTV report quoted airline as saying in a statement.
Both leading shopping centres Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates suffered flooding while water reached ankle-deep levels at Metro stations. Metro services are currently restricted to specific routes due to ongoing maintenance at stations along the Red and Green lines.
The impact of the storm wasn’t just limited to Dubai but the entire UAE and neighboring Bahrain faced similar flooding and disruptions.
In response to the forecasted storms, which may include hail, authorities have closed schools and extended remote work arrangements for government employees.
With inputs from agencies
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