The United Arab Emirates was hit by heavy thunderstorms on Tuesday, experiencing its most intense rainstorm ever recorded, resulting in widespread flooding that wrecked Dubai and disrupted operations at Dubai International Airport.
The state-run WAM news agency described the rain as “a historic weather event,” surpassing any precipitation documented since data collection began in 1949. According to reports, the sudden rain began late Monday, drenching Dubai with approximately 20 millimeters of rain, with the storms intensifying on Tuesday.
By the end of Tuesday, Dubai has received more than 142 millimeters of rain within 24 hours, far exceeding the average annual rainfall of 94.7 millimeters at Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest airports.
The rain has severe impact at the airport as arrivals were halted Tuesday night and passengers struggled to reach terminals amidst floodwater-covered roads. temporarily suspended operations and canceled more than 50 flights.
The heavy storms caused extensive flooding across the UAE, including flagship shopping centers like Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, where water levels rose to ankle-deep. Schools across the UAE were closed, and further storms, including hail, were forecasted for Wednesday.
The Asian Champions League football semi-final between Al Ain and Al Hilal was postponed for 24 hours due to the adverse weather conditions.
Some inland areas of the UAE received over 80 millimeters of rain in 24 hours, nearing the annual average of about 100mm.
Authorities urged residents to take precautions and avoid flood-prone areas. The storms across the region also led to fatalities in Oman, underscoring the severity of the weather event that swept through the Gulf.
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