Chaos engulfs Dubai as people flee flooded desert city

chaos engulfs dubai as people flee flooded desert city

People try to flee Dubai amid the unseen-before flooding (Picture: Media Express)

Families are racing to escape Dubai amid the apocalyptic scenes of flooding overnight.

Thunderstorms lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, dumping more than 4.7 inches of rain – the largest amount of rainfall in the past 75 years, according to the government.

A video from the airport – the busiest for international travel in the world – shows passengers sleeping on the floor as they wait for flights out of the country.

Dozens of jets were grounded amid the torrential rainfall, while many more were temporarily diverted on Tuesday evening to other locations.

The tarmac at Dubai International Airport was also flooded as planes made their way around what looked more like a lake.

Scenes of devastation can be seen across the desert UAE emirate that is famous for its luxurious, ultramodern architecture.

Footage shows homes and roads partially submerged in water and long lines of cars abandoned by the drivers floating.

Videos circulating on social media show the rainfall – now turned into a powerful steam of water – bursting through the ceilings of houses, restaurants, bars and shopping centres.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Get your need-to-know latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more by signing up to Metro’s News Updates newsletter

News Related

OTHER NEWS

FA confident that Man Utd starlet will pick England over Ghana

Kobbie Mainoo made his first start for Man Utd at Everton (Photo: Getty) The Football Association are reportedly confident that Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo will choose to represent England ... Read more »

World Darts Championship draw throws up tricky tests for big names

Michael Smith will begin the defence of his world title on the opening night (Picture: Getty Images) The 2024 World Darts Championship is less than three weeks away and the ... Read more »

Pioneering flight to use repurposed cooking oil to cross Atlantic

For the first time a long haul commercial aircraft is flying across the Atlantic using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). A long haul commercial flight is flying to the US ... Read more »

King meets world business and finance figures at Buckingham Palace

The King has met business and finance leaders from across the world at a Buckingham Palace reception to mark the conclusion of the UK’s Global Investment Summit. Charles was introduced ... Read more »

What Lou Holtz thinks of Ohio State's loss to Michigan: 'They aren't real happy'

After Ohio State’s 30-24 loss to Michigan Saturday, many college football fans were wondering where Lou Holtz was. In his postgame interview after the Buckeyes beat Notre Dame 17-14 in ... Read more »

Darius Slay wouldn't have minded being penalized on controversial no-call

Darius Slay wouldn’t have minded being penalized on controversial no-call No matter which team you were rooting for on Sunday, we can all agree that the officiating job performed by ... Read more »

Mac Jones discusses Patriots future after latest benching

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) Quarterback Mac Jones remains committed to finding success with the New England Patriots even though his future is up in the air following ... Read more »
Top List in the World