Heavy rainfall has flooded the United Arab Emirates Airport, an event unseen in over 75 years, with some areas receiving more than 250 mm (approximately 10 inches) of precipitation in under 24 hours, as per the state’s media office statement on Wednesday. This unprecedented rainfall, resulting in building damage, street flooding and palm tree uprooting, marks a historical occurrence since record-keeping began in 1949. Dubai, a popular tourist destination, witnessed flight cancellations, traffic standstills, and school closures.
Information received suggest that, on Tuesday, weather observations at the airport recorded 100 mm (nearly 4 inches) of rain within just 12 hours, equivalent to Dubai’s annual average precipitation, according to United Nations data. The deluge forced motorists to abandon vehicles as floodwaters transformed roads into rivers. Such extreme rainfall events are increasingly common due to human-induced climate change, where a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, resulting in flooding.
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These weather conditions were associated with a large storm system moving across the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf of Oman, also affecting nearby Oman and southeastern Iran. Flash floods in Oman claimed at least 18 lives, including schoolchildren, while in the UAE’s Ras Al-Khaimah, a 70-year-old man died after his vehicle was swept away.
The rainfall continued its eastward part, impacting southern Iran and Pakistan, regions unaccustomed to such precipitation at this time of year. Chabahar, Iran’s southernmost city, recorded 130 mm of rain. In Dubai, commuters faced road closures and transportation challenges, particularly affecting attendees of the World Blockchain Summit.
Report indicated that the Airport disruptions persisted even after the storm passed, with flooding blocking access roads and leading to flight delays and cancellations, including those by Emirates and Flydubai. Dubai International advised against unnecessary travel to the airport, with Emirates suspending check-in services due to operational challenges.
Local media depicted gridlocked traffic on Dubai’s major roads, luxury cars submerged in the Business Bay district, and flooded metro stations. Delivery services ceased, leaving many residents stranded in waterlogged streets. Some resorted to unconventional means of transportation, including rowing canoes and wakeboarding.
Tourists and residents alike experienced difficulties, with disrupted building lifts and utility outages compounding the chaos. Cloud seeding, a practice employed since the 1990s to induce rainfall in arid regions, is regularly conducted in the UAE. Despite Dubai’s typically arid climate, its infrastructure struggles to cope with extreme weather events like this.
The flooding at the United Arab Emirates Airport has compelled numerous travelers to delay their plans, opting to wait until the situation subsides and resolves. This precautionary measure reflects the widespread concern among passengers regarding the current travel conditions.
GH Educate will bring you updates on any developments regarding the flooding situation at Dubai Airport.
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