Flash floods sweep across Dubai due to heavy rains

Heavy thunderstorms wreaked havoc in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, with Dubai experiencing a deluge of rain equivalent to a year and a half’s worth in just a few hours. The desert city-state was left flooded, major highways submerged, and even the international airport struggling to cope with the downpour.

Neighboring Oman also faced the wrath of heavy flooding, with the death toll rising to 18 and several individuals still missing as the sultanate braced for more stormy weather.

In Dubai, the rains began late Monday and intensified on Tuesday, drenching the city with over 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rainfall within 24 hours. This amount far exceeded the average annual rainfall of 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) at Dubai International Airport, causing chaos for travelers and residents alike.

The airport had to halt arrivals, and passengers found themselves wading through floodwater to reach the terminals. Emergency services navigated the waterlogged streets, while the city’s driverless Metro system faced disruptions and flooded stations.

Schools across the UAE closed in anticipation of the storm, and government employees worked remotely. Tanker trucks were deployed to pump away the excess water, but some homes were still inundated, forcing residents to bail out the water.

The UAE’s hereditary rulers provided little information on the extent of the damage, but reports emerged of tragic incidents, including a 70-year-old man in Ras al-Khaimah who lost his life to floodwaters.

As the UAE and Oman grappled with the aftermath of the severe weather, neighboring countries like Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia also experienced rainfall. The rare occurrence of heavy rain in the arid region highlighted the challenges posed by inadequate drainage systems and the vulnerability of communities to extreme weather events.