Dubai on Tuesday experienced flash flooding after heavy rain plunged the city causing delays and cancellations in flights as well as public transportation.
Shocking footage emerged on social media showing Dubai International Airport’s tarmac underwater, with large planes trying to navigate through the floodwaters. Several inbound and outbound flights were reportedly cancelled.
The airport, which is now the second-busiest airport in the world, looked more like a river as the spray from the planes’ movement rippled through the deep water.
UAE has witnessed record-breaking, highest rains in 75 years.
Reportedly, the airport was shut down for 30 minutes and several flights were diverted on Tuesday due to major flooding on access roads around Dubai leading to the airport, causing significant disruptions in operations.
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However, the airport authorities noted that the departures will remain operational as per the schedule,
“The airport is working hard with its response teams and service partners to restore normal operations and minimise inconvenience to our customers. We urge guests to check directly with the airline to obtain the latest information on the status of their flight, allow significant extra travel time to the airport and use the Dubai metro where possible,” Dubai Airports was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology also issued a red alert as the weather further worsened across the country. Residents have been asked to remain ‘extremely vigilant’ in this situation.
Taking to X, the weather department posted a map highlighting the most prone areas with yellow, orange and red alerts.
Nearly 4 inches (100 mm) of rain fell over just 12 hours on Tuesday, according to weather observations at the airport – around what Dubai measures in an entire year, according to United Nations data.
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