Dubai International Airport, a bustling air hub known for its arid climate, faced unprecedented challenges on Tuesday as heavy rain lashed the United Arab Emirates (UAE), disrupting flight operations and causing widespread flooding across the desert nation.
The unexpected downpour led to the diversion of numerous incoming flights, with Dubai International Airport, typically a hive of activity, experiencing a rare suspension of arrivals. While departure flights gradually resumed after a 25-minute hiatus, delays and cancellations persisted throughout the evening.
Videos circulated on social media depicted flooded runways and waterlogged airport parking lots, illustrating the severity of the situation. Major infrastructure, including renowned shopping centres like Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, bore the brunt of the flooding, while ankle-deep water inundated Dubai Metro stations.
Beyond Dubai, the impact of the storm reverberated across the UAE and neighbouring Bahrain, where similar scenes of chaos unfolded. Schools closed across the Emirates, and further storms, including hail, were forecasted, prompting authorities to extend remote working arrangements for government employees.
In Oman, where the storms originated, the devastation was particularly grim, resulting in flash floods and tragic fatalities. Both Oman and the UAE, having hosted the previous year’s COP28 UN climate conference, have previously warned about the heightened risk of flooding due to global warming.
The unprecedented flooding in Dubai serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its far-reaching implications for vulnerable regions worldwide. As the UAE grapples with the aftermath of this natural disaster, attention is increasingly focused on resilience measures and long-term climate adaptation strategies.
