Climate-fuelled floodingīahrain, to the UAE's north-west, was also hit by heavy rain and flooding after being pummelled by thunder and lightning overnight. The Asian Champions League football semifinal between the UAE's Al Ain and Saudi side Al Hilal, due to be hosted in Al Ain, was postponed for 24 hours because of the weather. The National Center for Meteorology 'urged residents to take all the precautions … and to stay away from areas of flooding and water accumulation'. Some inland areas of the UAE recorded more than 80 millimetres of rain over the 24 hours to 8am, approaching the annual average of about 100mm.

Dubai's government also extended remote working for its employees into Wednesday. Schools were shut across the UAE and were expected to remain closed on Wednesday, when further storms are forecast. Some roads collapsed, residential communities were hit by heavy flooding and many householders reported leaks from roofs, doors and windows. Water was ankle-deep in at least one Dubai Metro station, according to images posted on social media. Year's worth of rain in 24 hours Loading.įlagship shopping centres Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates both suffered flooding. Similar scenes were repeated across Dubai and elsewhere in the UAE as the oil-rich Gulf state, better known for its arid climate and intense summer heat, reeled from the storm. Roads to the airport were also badly flooded. Videos on social media showed planes taxiing across an apron flooded with standing water.ĭeparture flights remained in operation during the evening but were plagued with delays and cancellations.

DBX was expecting more than 100 flight arrivals on Tuesday evening.īut the airport announced a halt to arrivals before announcing a 'gradual resumption' more than two hours later. What's next? With further storms forecast, schools will remain shut and the government has extended remote working into Wednesday local time.Īuthorities and communities across the United Arab Emirates were clearing debris on Wednesday after heavy rain subsided late on Tuesday.ĭubai, the Middle East's financial centre, has been paralysed by torrential rain that has caused floods across the UAE and Bahrain, leaving 19 dead in Oman and at least one in the UAE.ĭubai International Airport, the world's busiest air hub for international passengers, diverted scores of incoming flights amid the flooding. Shopping centres are closed and some roads have collapsed due to the rain. In short: Widespread flooding and heavy rain in the United Arab Emirates are causing major flight diversions at Dubai's international airport.

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