16 April 2024 , 22:14
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There has been major disruption in Dubai this afternoon, with planes seen splashing through water at the main airport.
Operations at DXB were suspended for 25 minutes due to the intense storm, with a total of 21 outbound and 24 inbound flights cancelled as well as three flights diverted to other neighboring airports, a spokesperson told Gulf News.
Operations have since restarted, Dubai International Airport added.
People had been braced for bad weather in the Gulf state, with Dubai Police putting out a safety warning yesterday telling people to avoid the beaches as well as valleys which could flood.
This was due to ‘rains, strong winds, thunder, lightning, and sometimes hail, reducing visibility’, they said.
Social media this afternoon was filled with dramatic videos of flooded roads.
One man posted video from his car window showing the road more like a fast-flowing river on X, writing: ‘This is not what I expected in Dubai! My condolences to the Rolls Royce owner!’
This is not what I expected in Dubai! My condolences to the Rolls Royce owner! ???? pic.twitter.com/FrCikLn1Po
— Dadi Kristjansson (@dadikr) April 16, 2024
Metro stations in Dubai also flooded
Planes were seen sending up sprays of water at the international airport
Vehicles drive through heavy rain on the Sheikh Zayed Road highway (Picture: AP)
Palm trees poke out from a flooded street during the storm in Dubai (Picture: Reuters)
Given the current weather conditions across the country, characterized by rains, strong winds, thunder, lightning, and sometimes hail, reducing visibility, road users are advised to abide by the following guidelines. Let’s strive together for a safer and more secure community. pic.twitter.com/YSPKyaTEpC
— Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) April 15, 2024
Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan pronounced that government employees should work remotely where possible due to the bad weather today, while private schools should switch to distance learning.
Due to upcoming weather conditions, we have instructed all Dubai Government entities and private schools to work remotely on Tuesday, April 16.
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) April 15, 2024
Dubai is more generally known for its hot and dry desert weather, with the average temperature in April 33ºC.
However, flash flooding can be deadly, especially if people are in the vicinity of dry riverbeds known as ‘wadi’ in Arabic, which can quickly fill with water and wash away vehicles and bystanders.
Dubai’s flooding comes a day after heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in Oman on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, killing at least 17 people as rescuers searched for survivors.
In one incident, a group of school children and a driver died when their vehicle was overtaken, authorities said.
The UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) stated that the current unsettled weather in the region is expected to last until tomorrow.