Dubai rain havoc: Flights cancelled, schools & offices shut ; Orange alert issued | Check Details

Dubai rain havoc: Following flooding in April, heavy rains have once again descended upon the United Arab Emirates, resulting in the cancellation and delay of several flights in and out of Dubai. With this inclement weather, authorities have urged residents, including students, to work and study from the safety of their homes.

Orange Alert issued in Dubai 

An orange alert has been issued as the UAE experienced heavy rains and thunderstorms. Preparations have been underway for this period of unstable weather, anticipated to peak from May 2 to May 3.

As a precautionary measure, people across all sectors have been advised to prioritize safety. Schools have transitioned to distance learning, while companies have been encouraged to facilitate remote work arrangements. Additionally, parks and beaches have been temporarily closed to ensure public safety.

Dubai goes Work From Home 

The UAE announced that students will have online classes for all government schools on May 2 and 3 in the country due to prevailing weather conditions.

Furthermore, the government announced that all private schools in Dubai will have online learning on May 2 and May 3 due to expected unstable weather conditions. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced that the decision is applicable to all private schools, nurseries and universities.

 UAE's disaster management authority reiterated the nation's readiness to tackle the upcoming weather conditions. It said that all relevant agencies are ready to tackle the anticipated weather fluctuations by implementing measures.

Dubai-bound airlines disrupted  

According to a spokesperson from Dubai Airport, overnight, five inbound flights were diverted while nine arrivals and four outbound flights were cancelled. 

The spokesperson advised departing guests to allocate extra time for their journey to the airport due to anticipated road congestion, suggesting the use of the Dubai Metro whenever possible to access Terminals 1 and 3 at DXB.

Emirates cancelled multiple flights on Thursday due to adverse weather conditions across the UAE, resulting in reduced flight operations at Dubai International Airport. In a statement, Emirates informed customers traveling on May 2 to expect delays as flights are rescheduled.

Flydubai also experienced delays in operations due to the unfavorable weather conditions in Dubai on Thursday, as reported by Khaleej Times. Air Arabia, based in Sharjah, advised passengers flying from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah to factor in additional travel time to the airport.

Indian airlines IndiGo, Vistara, and SpiceJet acknowledged that their flight operations were affected by bad weather in Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Abu Dhabi, resulting in disruptions to departures, arrivals, and flights.