Unprecedented Rainfall Causes Havoc in Dubai with Record-breaking Downpour

Chaos erupted in the United Arab Emirates when the country experienced the heaviest rainfall in 75 years. Some areas received over 250 mm of rain in less than 24 hours, according to the state's media office statement on Wednesday.

This unprecedented rainfall caused flooding on streets, knocked down palm trees, and damaged building exteriors. Such extreme weather has never been witnessed in the Middle Eastern nation since record-keeping began in 1949. In Dubai, a popular tourist destination, flights were canceled, traffic came to a standstill, and schools had to shut down.

On Tuesday, the airport weather observations showed that nearly 4 inches (100 millimeters) of rain fell within just 12 hours. This amount of rain is close to what Dubai typically receives in a whole year, as per United Nations data.

The heavy and rapid rainfall caused floodwater to rise quickly, turning roads into rivers. Some motorists had to leave their vehicles behind as a result of the intense downpour.

The weather conditions were caused by a big storm moving through the Arabian Peninsula and going across the Gulf of Oman. This storm is also bringing lots of rain to Oman and southeastern Iran.

In Oman, heavy rain led to flash floods that resulted in at least 18 deaths, according to the country's National Committee for Emergency Management. Among the casualties were schoolchildren, as reported by Oman's state news agency.

Cars are stuck on a flooded road after a rainstorm hit Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.

Cars are stuck on a flooded road after a rainstorm hit Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.

Rula Rouhana/Reuters

A 70-year-old man died after flooding swept away his vehicle in the UAE’s Ras Al-Khaimah, a police statement said on Tuesday.

The rainfall moved east on Wednesday, affecting southern Iran and Pakistan, where rainfall is uncommon during this season. In Iran's Chabahar city, 130 mm of rain was measured in the Sistan and Baluchestan province.

In Dubai, people trying to travel to the city center were stranded on the highway on Wednesday. Some taxi drivers declined to continue driving due to the blocked roads, leaving commuters stuck on Dubai's main road.

Commuters were spotted navigating through large puddles on the road, seeking alternative ways to get to their destinations. Among them were attendees who had traveled from different countries to Dubai for the upcoming World Blockchain Summit, a crypto conference set to take place early next week.

The heavy rain caused disruptions in airport operations, impacting the travel plans of many passengers.

Shocking video footage captured the tarmac of Dubai International Airport, which was recently named the second-busiest airport in the world, submerged underwater. Massive aircrafts were seen struggling to navigate through the floodwaters, resembling boats rather than planes as they moved through the flooded airport. Water sprayed in their path, creating waves in the deep water.

The disruption to airport operations extended into Wednesday, even after the storm had passed. Access roads were blocked due to flooding, causing delays for multiple airlines, including the flag carrier Emirates. Budget airline Flydubai made the decision to cancel all flights until 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday.

On Wednesday morning, Dubai International Airport urged people to avoid coming to the airport unless it is absolutely necessary. This is because flights are currently experiencing delays and diversions.

Emirates announced the suspension of passenger check-in for flights departing from Dubai starting at 8 a.m. local time on Wednesday until midnight on Thursday. This decision was made due to operational difficulties caused by adverse weather conditions and road challenges.

Passengers queue at a flight connection desk at the Dubai International Airport in Dubai on Wednesday.

Passengers queue at a flight connection desk at the Dubai International Airport in Dubai on Wednesday.

Last year, a total of 134 million passengers traveled through the UAE's airports, with 87 million passing through Dubai International Airport alone. The UAE, a country with around 10 million residents, serves as a hub for five airlines.

Video footage circulating on social media depicted furniture being swept off balconies in Dubai Marina, a manmade canal surrounded by tall buildings and shops. The strong currents carried away furniture from nearby restaurants.

Pictures posted in the local news showed traffic at a standstill on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, a wide 16-lane road. Expensive cars were submerged in the Business Bay area, home to apartments, offices, and stores. A Dubai Metro station was flooded, forcing commuters to walk through water that reached ankle-deep.

People wade through a submerged street under a bridge after heavy rain in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

People wade through a submerged street under a bridge after heavy rain in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

Delivery services in Dubai were halted because of waterlogged streets, preventing residents from leaving their homes. Cars and pedestrians were unable to navigate through the flooded areas. Some residents were even spotted using canoes outside their homes, while a viral video on social media captured residents wakeboarding on a flooded street in a residential neighborhood.

Videos on social media also captured water flowing through a major shopping mall and flooding the ground floor of homes.

According to a report by local newspaper The National, an official from the UAE’s National Center of Meteorology explained that the heavy rain was not a result of cloud seeding, dispelling rumors that the chaos was artificially created. Cloud seeding is a technique used to increase rainfall in dry regions by introducing substances into clouds to help stimulate rain. The UAE has been conducting cloud-seeding operations since the 1990s and has been regularly implementing it in recent years.

Dubai, like the rest of the Persian Gulf region, has a hot and dry climate. This means that rainfall is rare, and the city's infrastructure may struggle to cope during severe weather conditions.

Reporting for CNN was done by Abbas Al Lawati, Teele Rebane, Kathleen Magramo, Mostafa Salem, Sophie Tanno, and the team led by Eleni Giokos.

Editor's P/S:

The unprecedented rainfall in the United Arab Emirates is a testament to the changing climate and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. The sheer volume of rain, which shattered records, has exposed the vulnerability of the region's infrastructure and the urgent need for adaptation measures. The flooding, which turned roads into rivers and submerged vehicles, has also highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness and response.

While the UAE has been conducting cloud-seeding operations to increase rainfall, it is essential to note that these techniques cannot be relied upon as a solution to the long-term challenges posed by climate change. Sustainable water management practices, such as water conservation and rainwater harvesting, should be prioritized to ensure water security in the face of increasingly erratic weather patterns.