VIDEO: Airport, shopping centres submerge in water as flash floods hit Dubai; schools shut

Extreme weather conditions shocked people in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as heavy rains and subsequent flooding troubled residents across the nation. Hailstones, lighting strikes and huge thunderstorms caused havoc as many residential and commercial buildings experienced power outagesand stoppage of water supply in Abu Dhabi and Dubai - regions known for their arid climate and intense summer heat.

On Tuesday, Dubai's major international airport started diverting all incoming flights as heavy rains lashed the city. Earlier, the operations were briefly halted at the world's busiest air hub for international passengers because of the storm. It was expecting more than 100 flights on Tuesday evening.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) added that departures will continue to operate.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

"Due to the continued exceptional weather event currently being experienced in the UAE, Dubai International is temporarily diverting inbound flights due to arrive this evening... until the inclement situation improves," a Dubai Airport spokesperson said.

Unverified images and videos of Dubai Airport and other regions started to circulate on social media forums, showing planes taxiing across an apron flooded with standing water.

Shopping centres Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates both suffered flooding. Images on social media showed the water was ankle-deep in at least one Dubai Metro station.

The news agency Reuters released videos showing some residents in Dubai using a rubber boat on Tuesday (Apr 16) to move around the flooded streets.

Dubai Airport right now
pic.twitter.com/FX992PQvAU — Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) April 16, 2024

🔥🚨DEVELOPING: Dubai underwater, Influencers are stranded in their Rolls Royces in flooded roads as skies turn black in apocalyptic scenes as storm hits region.

More than 4.7ins (120mm) of rain has already fallen today - the typical yearly average in the city - with more… pic.twitter.com/HhtOOBi0l6 — Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) April 16, 2024

It’s not Bengaluru, it’s Dubai.

So next time think before mocking your own city/country becoz nature is brutal and no one can fight it.. pic.twitter.com/JpGpByTEnk — Shilpa (@shilpa_cn) April 16, 2024

Damn! This is Dubai. One of the most expensive cities in the world with top notch infrastructure. Nature is brutal.
Praying for the safety of all 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/pc0qBFRLx0 — Madhur Singh (@ThePlacardGuy) April 16, 2024

Schools shut, sports postponed

Dubai's government extended the work-from-home facility for its employees into Wednesday. Schools were shut across the UAE and were expected to remain closed on Wednesday.

The Asian Champions League football semi-final between the UAE's Al Ain and Saudi side Al Hilal, due to be hosted in Al Ain, was postponed for 24 hours because of the weather.

Advisory

A public safety advisory was issued on Monday (Apr 15) by Dubai Police as they alerted the residents to avoid the adverse weather conditions.

The UAE's National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) stated that from Tuesday afternoon to early Wednesday morning (Apr 17), another wave of unstable weather was expected to begin from western areas and spread across scattered areas of the country.