Record Rainfall Swamps Dubai, Submerging Roads and Disrupting Flights

Heavy rains caused severe flooding across Dubai on Friday. Roads turned into rivers and vehicles were submerged. The extreme weather led to significant flight cancellations and delays.

The desert city faced scenes more familiar to monsoon-hit regions like Delhi or Mumbai. Dubai Police had urged residents to stay indoors as the storm approached.

City Streets Transform into Rivers Overnight

Torrential overnight rainfall overwhelmed Dubai’s infrastructure. Viral videos showed people pushing cars through waist-deep water on major streets. Shopping malls, including the Mall of the Emirates, also experienced flooding.

In neighbouring Sharjah, a main street was completely underwater. Residents were seen wading barefoot through the floodwaters. According to AFP, one man attempted to cycle through the deluge.

The downpour brought back memories of April 2024’s historic floods. That event had paralyzed the city for days. This latest storm again tested the region’s drainage systems.

Air Travel Hit with Cancellations and Delays

Dubai’s air travel network faced major disruptions. Emirates airline was forced to cancel 13 flights due to the adverse weather. Dozens more flights were delayed at Dubai International Airport.

Sharjah airport also reported multiple cancellations. Airport authorities deployed teams to manage the widespread delays. The situation caused inconvenience for thousands of travellers.

The National Center of Meteorology had issued warnings ahead of the storm. They forecast rainfall across the UAE from Thursday into Friday. Further unsettled weather was predicted for the weekend.

The Dubai floods highlight the increasing vulnerability of global cities to extreme weather events. Urban infrastructure is being tested by unpredictable and intense rainfall patterns. These scenes underscore a growing climate challenge for desert regions worldwide.

Info at your fingertips

How bad was the flooding in Dubai?

The flooding was severe. Major roads were submerged under waist-deep water, stranding vehicles. Floodwater also entered prominent locations like the Mall of the Emirates.

Which airline cancelled flights due to the storm?

Emirates airline cancelled 13 flights. Sharjah airport also reported multiple cancellations and delays across other carriers. Dozens more flights were significantly delayed.

Was this flooding event unusual for Dubai?

Yes, such heavy rainfall is rare for the desert city. However, it follows a record-breaking flood event in April 2024, suggesting a pattern of more intense weather.

What did authorities advise residents to do?

Dubai Police urged people to stay indoors unless travel was absolutely necessary. This advisory was issued as the storm approached on Thursday.

Is more rain expected in the UAE?

The National Centre of Meteorology forecast partly cloudy skies with possible rainfall, particularly in the north. They warned of strengthening winds that could raise dust.