Dubai: The capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai, was hit by heavy rainfall and thunderstorms early on Thursday, following severe flooding in April. The adverse weather conditions led to numerous flight cancellations and the suspension of bus services in the city.
According to reports, five inbound flights to Dubai were diverted overnight, while nine arrivals and four outbound flights were cancelled. Emirates also had to cancel several flights in response to the weather conditions.
Residents of Dubai woke up to strong winds, thunder, and lightning around 3 AM on Thursday. Approximately an hour later, the country’s weather department issued an amber alert, indicating widespread rain-bearing clouds. Adverse weather conditions are expected to persist until May 3, prompting authorities to advise residents to follow safety measures during rainy periods.
Waterlogging was reported on streets in some areas of Abu Dhabi, while strong winds affected various parts of Dubai, including Jebel Ali, Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai Industrial City, Dubai Investments Park, and Jumeirah Village Triangle.
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On Wednesday, Dubai Airports and two local airlines issued advisories for passengers, warning of potential delays at Dubai International Airport.
The UAE had issued alerts for medium to heavy rains for two days, prompting work-from-home arrangements for office workers and distance learning for schools in Sharjah and Dubai.
The April storm in Dubai resulted in at least three fatalities and significant disruptions to daily life, including flight suspensions and transit halts. Despite efforts to return operations to normalcy, some roads between Dubai and Abu Dhabi remained partially underwater, causing delivery disruptions and shortages in supermarkets and restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
Extreme weather events like this are increasingly linked to climate change, with researchers predicting higher temperatures, increased humidity, and heightened flooding risks in the Gulf region. The lack of adequate drainage infrastructure in countries like the UAE further exacerbates the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall.
