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Dubai experienced an unprecedented deluge on Tuesday, receiving a year’s worth of rain in just one day. The intense rainfall led to widespread flash flooding across the city, submerging the runway at the Dubai International Airport and transforming roads into rivers.
Homes were also inundated, causing significant disruption to daily life.
The airport, one of the busiest in the world, had to halt flight operations for nearly half an hour due to the flooding. In just 12 hours, the airport received nearly 100 mm of rain, and a total of 160 mm within 24 hours, far exceeding the city’s average annual rainfall of about 88.9 mm.
Videos circulating on social media depicted the runway completely submerged, with large passenger jets navigating through the flooded area, resembling boats on an ocean. The adverse weather conditions resulted in numerous flight delays and cancellations, affecting destinations such as India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the UK.
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More ShortsEmirates airline confirmed multiple flight disruptions, while low-cost carrier flydubai temporarily suspended all departures from Dubai until Wednesday morning. The airline advised passengers to check for updates and rescheduling options.
The National Centre of Meteorology in the United Arab Emirates issued weather warnings for several regions, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, urging caution due to the heavy rainfall and associated hazards. Dubai Police also issued advisories, directing residents to avoid certain roads affected by flash floods.
The extreme weather extended beyond Dubai, with neighbouring Oman experiencing devastating flash floods that claimed at least 18 lives. Tragically, among the victims were 10 students who perished when their vehicle was swept away while attempting to cross a flooded area.
In Bahrain, heavy rainfall led to flooded roads, leaving vehicles stranded and further exacerbating the weather-related challenges faced by the region.
With inputs from Agencies