People wade through submerged street after heavy rain in United Arab Emirates on April 16, 2024.
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DUBAI — One among the world’s busiest airports temporarily halted operations because the United Arab Emirates experienced its heaviest rainfall on record.
The downpour prompted flight cancellations and delays at Dubai’s international airport, with travelers stranded for hours in each the terminal and on the tarmac, which gave the impression to be underwater in footage seen by CNBC. The airport said road blockages and flooding have prevented many passengers from reaching the airport for departing flights.
Dubai Airports has advised passengers to not go to the airport “unless absolutely essential.” A spokesperson said that “flights proceed to be delayed and diverted.”
Emirates airline suspended check-in for all flights departing from Dubai between 8 a.m. local time to midnight on Wednesday. Fly Dubai, a budget carrier owned by the federal government of Dubai, has also suspended all flights from the UAE hub until 10 a.m. local time on April 17, citing extreme weather.
The National Centre of Meteorology confirmed the very best level of rainfall within the country within the eastern emirate of Al Ain, which reached 254.8 mm (10 inches) in lower than 24 hours. The UAE saw over 100 mm of rain, a 75 12 months record because the UAE began recording rainfall.
The federal government issued a red warning, shuttering offices, school and banks across the country. The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Authority warned residents to remain home and park vehicles in elevated spots away from flood-prone areas. It also advised people to take preventative measures to avoid property damage from heavy rain and hailstorms.
Vehicles on flooded streets on account of heavy rain in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on April 16, 2024.
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The fundamental road connecting Dubai to the capital, Abu Dhabi, was gridlocked on account of flooding. Dubai’s metro and mall each flooded, and cars were seen floating down roads in lots of parts of the country in videos seen by CNBC.
The storms hit other parts of the Middle East, with reports at the least 18 dead in Oman on account of flooding.
