Dubai Airport gets flooded following 'exceptional rain'; Videos, images show waterlogged runways and terminals

Dubai's major international airport diverted scores of incoming flights on Tuesday as heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates, causing widespread flooding around the desert country.

Air Traffic Disruption
The world's busiest air hub for international passengers confirmed a halt to arrivals at 7:26 pm (1526 GMT) before announcing a "gradual resumption" more than two hours later. Earlier, the airport, which had been expecting over 100 flight arrivals, briefly halted its operations in the chaos caused by the storm. Departure flights experienced delays and cancellations, and access roads to the airport were also flooded.


Several people also took to social media to share videos and images of the city which was battered by the intense rains.

— anandmahindra (@anandmahindra)

— teasersixer (@teasersixer)

— RealBababanaras (@RealBababanaras)

— gunsnrosesgirl3 (@gunsnrosesgirl3)

Impact on Dubai
Dubai, the Middle East's financial center, was severely affected by the torrential rain, with floods across the UAE and Bahrain, and 18 casualties in Oman. Flagship shopping centers like Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates suffered flooding. Residential communities were hit, and some roads collapsed. Water was ankle-deep in at least one Dubai Metro station, according to social media images.

Climate Change Concerns
Both Oman and the UAE, which hosted last year's COP28 UN climate talks, have previously warned about the likelihood of more flooding due to global warming. Climate experts, including Friederike Otto from the Grantham Institute for Climate Change, suggest that human-induced climate change may have intensified the extreme weather.


Precautions and Response
The National Center for Meteorology urged residents to take precautions and stay away from flooded areas. Schools were closed across the UAE, with remote working extended. The Asian Champions League football semi-final between the UAE's Al Ain and Saudi side Al Hilal was postponed due to the weather.

Bahrain, to the UAE's north-west, was also hit by heavy rain and flooding after being pummelled by thunder and lightning overnight. In Oman, the storms caused deadly floods and left dozens stranded, with emergency authorities recovering a child's body on Tuesday, bringing the death toll to 18 with two people missing.

The storms in the UAE, Bahrain, and Oman highlight the increasing risks of extreme weather events due to climate change. As these regions continue to face such challenges, efforts to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts become increasingly urgent.