Dubai is flooded within a few minutes after incredibly intense storm

Today, Dubai experienced significant disruption as planes navigated through waterlogged runways at the main airport, resulting from an intense storm.

Dubai Municipality workers try to deal with the rainy weather

Operations at Dubai International Airport (DXB) were halted for 25 minutes due to the severity of the storm. A spokesperson for the airport informed Gulf News that during this period, 21 outbound flights and 24 inbound flights had to be canceled. Additionally, three flights were redirected to nearby airports due to the adverse weather conditions.

Vehicles drive through heavy rain on the Sheikh Zayed Road highway

However, operations have now resumed at DXB, according to Dubai International Airport authorities.

This weather event had been anticipated, as Dubai Police issued a safety advisory yesterday, urging people to avoid beaches and valleys susceptible to flooding. The warning highlighted the potential hazards of heavy rains, strong winds, thunderstorms, lightning, and occasional hail, all of which could significantly reduce visibility and pose risks to public safety.

Social media platforms were flooded with dramatic videos depicting flooded streets and roads. One individual shared a video from their car window, showcasing a road transformed into a swiftly flowing river. Their caption expressed surprise at the unexpected turn of events in Dubai and extended condolences humorously to a Rolls Royce owner, highlighting the unusual nature of the weather event in the desert city.

Planes were seen sending up sprays of water at the international airport

Dubai, renowned for its hot and arid desert climate, typically experiences an average temperature of 33ºC in April. However, flash flooding can be particularly dangerous, especially in areas near dry riverbeds known as 'wadi' in Arabic. These areas can quickly fill with water during heavy rainfall, posing risks to vehicles and pedestrians.

Palm trees poke out from a flooded street during the storm in Dubai

The recent flooding in Dubai follows a similar weather pattern in Oman, located on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula. Flash floods caused by heavy rainfall resulted in tragic incidents, including the loss of at least 17 lives as rescue operations continue to search for survivors.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) in the UAE has forecasted continued unsettled weather conditions in the region, expected to persist until tomorrow. These events serve as reminders of the unpredictability of weather patterns and the importance of preparedness and caution during adverse weather situations.