The United Arab Emirates faces heavy rain, flooding the streets of Dubai. Image source: Unsplash, via Picryl.
Record levels of rainfall have hit the United Arab Emirates (UAE), causing widespread floods and disruption across the Persian Gulf.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah residents were told to prepare for unstable weather conditions on Monday, 15 April when the rain began to fall.
By Tuesday evening, Dubai received over 120mm of rain and some inland areas recorded more than 80mm.
The UAE has an expected yearly average of 100mm.
The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) described Tuesday’s rainfall as the single highest volume the UAE has seen in 75 years since official records began in 1949.
صور الرادار ثلاثية الأبعاد لحركة تكون السحب#أمطار #أمطار_الخير#المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد
3D Radar images of cloud formation over the area
#rain#national_Center_of_Meteorology pic.twitter.com/NBYkFL1Gsn— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@ncmuae) April 16, 2024
Rain is uncommon in the arid Arabian Peninsula, falling periodically during the cooler months of winter.
Many roads and other areas lack drainage due to the infrequency of rain, exacerbating the flood.
Authorities sent out tanker trucks to pump water away from the streets and highways.
At least one Dubai Metro station was reportedly filled with ankle-deep water.
Dubai International Airport was forced to divert several flights and halt all operations for approximately 25 minutes on Tuesday afternoon.
We are temporarily diverting arriving flights this evening until the weather conditions improve. Departures will continue to operate.
Together with our partners, we’re working to restore normal operations and minimise inconvenience to you.
Follow @DXB for further updates.
— DXB (@DXB) April 16, 2024
Buildings and neighbourhoods in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have experienced power shortages.
Schools shut across the UAE before the storm and government employees were told to work from home where possible.
The NCM advised residents in a post on X (formerly Twitter) “to take all precautions” and “to stay away from areas of flooding and water accumulation”.
In Ras Al Khaimah, a largest city northwest of Dubai, a 70-year-old man was killed while attempting to travel through a flooded wadi.
Separate heavy floods have also struck the UAE’s eastern neighbour, Oman.
Oman’s National Committee for Emergency Management confirmed that at least 18 people have been killed in the deluge.
The dead includes 10 schoolchildren and their driver whose vehicle was swept away by flash floods.
Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia also experienced rainfall.
Qatar has issued a severe weather warning, predicting heavy rainfall until at least Wednesday, 17 April.
