Heavy Rains Disrupt Dubai Flights as Flooded Streets Slow Weekend Travel

Heavy rains hit Dubai on Friday and forced many Dubai flights to stop or run late. The storms flooded roads across the city and slowed travel. The impact was felt at Dubai International Airport and at Sharjah Airport. The weather service warned that more rain will come over the weekend.

The delays began after strong thunderstorms passed over the UAE late Thursday. Many roads filled with water. It brought back memories of the huge floods in April 2024. Those floods stopped more than 2,000 flights and shut down travel for days.

Dubai Flights Face Major Delays as Airports Struggle With Floods

According to AFP, Emirates cancelled 13 Dubai flights on Friday. Sharjah Airport also faced many delays and some cancelled flights. A Dubai Airports spokesperson said flights were hit by “adverse weather.”

The National Centre of Meteorology said rain fell across the country. Saqr Port saw 98 millimetres of rain. The weather body said wind gusts could reach 50 kilometres per hour. It also warned of rough seas in the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea.

Many streets were covered in deep water by Friday morning. Water trucks moved across the city to clear the roads. Some companies told staff to work from home. Police asked people to stay indoors unless they needed to travel.

Dubai Airports showed dozens of late departures on its website. More storms may cause further delays through the weekend. Other Gulf nations saw heavy rain too. In Qatar, the Arab Cup football match between Saudi Arabia and the UAE was cancelled because of the weather.

How the New Floods Affect Travel and Daily Life in the UAE

The new floods raised fears about the region’s changing weather. Last year’s heavy rains were the strongest in 76 years. Four people died during the April 2024 floods. Travel, business, and daily life were affected for days.

Researchers from the World Weather Attribution group said global warming likely made those rains stronger. The new storm adds more concern for planners and residents. The UAE is working to improve drainage and storm systems, but the latest floods show the challenge is still large.

Airports in Dubai play a major global role. Any delay in Dubai flights affects thousands of people worldwide. Friday’s disruption forced many passengers to change plans at the last minute. More uncertain weather over the weekend could bring more delays.

The UAE will monitor conditions closely as the storms continue. Many travellers hope the number of delayed Dubai flights drops soon. But the weather service says more rain is likely.

Info at your fingertips-

Q1: Why were Dubai flights delayed?

Flights were delayed because heavy rains flooded roads and slowed airport work. Storms overnight caused major travel issues. Both Dubai and Sharjah airports were affected.

Q2: How many flights did Emirates cancel?

According to AFP, Emirates cancelled 13 flights on Friday. More delays were reported through the day. Bad weather may cause more disruptions.

Q3: Which areas saw the most rainfall?

The National Centre of Meteorology said Saqr Port saw 98 millimetres of rain. Rain fell across many parts of the UAE. Strong winds also hit coastal areas.

Q4: Did other Gulf states face rain?

Yes, other states saw storms too. Qatar cancelled a major football match due to heavy rain. The region faced widespread weather problems.

Q5: Will the rain continue?

Yes, forecasters expect more rain over the weekend. Winds may stay strong. Travel delays may continue if conditions worsen.

Trusted Sources

Reuters
AFP
BBC
The National Centre of Meteorology
Gulf News