Dubai rain: Airport flooded as city receives year's rainfall in 24 hours

PTC News Desk: Dubai was hit by an extraordinary deluge on Tuesday, receiving a staggering amount of rain equivalent to what it typically gets in a year within just a single day. The consequence was swift and dramatic: flash flooding wreaked havoc across the city, submerging the runways at Dubai International Airport and transforming streets into rushing torrents.

The torrential downpour inundated the airport runway, rendering it reminiscent of an ocean rather than a landing strip, while roads throughout the city were transformed into churning rivers. Such was the severity of the flooding that flight operations at the airport were forced to a standstill for nearly half an hour.

Due to adverse weather conditions, multiple flights to and from @DXB are experiencing delays or disruptions.

✈️ To check the status of an upcoming flight, please visit https://t.co/RphFmbRpzF
???? For help with with an existing booking, please visit https://t.co/H1klWYurOd or DM… pic.twitter.com/YpdIk4Nvsb — Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) April 16, 2024

Meteorological records revealed that Dubai had been deluged with nearly 100 mm of rainfall in just a span of 12 hours on Tuesday, with the total precipitation over 24 hours reaching a staggering 160 mm. To put this in perspective, the average annual rainfall for Dubai typically hovers around 88.9 mm.

The impact on travel was significant, with numerous flights experiencing delays or cancellations. Videos circulated on social media depicting large passenger jets navigating through the flooded runway, resembling boats more than aircraft.

Due to road blockages and flooding, we're experiencing a high volume of guests unable to reach #DXB for their departing flights.

We're working continuously to restore normal operations, and have also arranged refreshments for guests currently at the airport, where possible. — DXB (@DXB) April 16, 2024

Emirates airline, one of the major carriers operating out of Dubai, confirmed that several flights had been disrupted due to the adverse weather conditions. Similarly, low-cost carrier flydubai announced the temporary suspension of all departing flights until 10 am local time on Wednesday, affecting a significant number of passengers.

The situation prompted authorities to issue warnings and advisories to residents and travelers alike. The Dubai International Airport urged passengers to monitor their flight statuses closely and allow for extra travel time. Dubai Police also cautioned against using certain roads due to the risk of flash flooding.

The inclement weather was not confined to Dubai alone; neighboring countries also experienced heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding. In Oman, for instance, at least 18 individuals lost their lives in flash floods triggered by the intense rainfall. Among the victims were 10 students who tragically perished when their vehicle was swept away while attempting to navigate a flooded area.

Similarly, Bahrain witnessed scenes of chaos as vehicles became stranded on flooded roads, underscoring the widespread impact of the extreme weather conditions across the region.

- With inputs from agencies