Dubai hit by heavy rainfall again; flights cancelled and advisories issued

As per the reports, five inbound flights to Dubai were diverted overnight, with nine arrivals and four outbound flights cancelled. Emirates also cancelled several flights.

Residents in Dubai awoke to strong winds, thunder, and lightning around 3 AM on Thursday. Approximately an hour later, the country’s weather department issued an amber alert, indicating that rain-bearing clouds had covered most parts of the country. If reports are to go by, adverse weather conditions are expected until May 3, and residents have been advised to follow safety measures during rainy conditions.

Waterlogging was reported on streets in some areas of Abu Dhabi, while strong winds affected Jebel Ali, Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai Industrial City, Dubai Investments Park, and Jumeirah Village Triangle.

On Wednesday, Dubai Airports and two local airlines issued advisories for passengers, warning of possible delays at Dubai International Airport.

Report also stated that the UAE had issued alerts for medium to heavy rains for two days, encouraging work-from-home arrangements for office workers and distance learning for schools in Sharjah and Dubai.

The April storm in Dubai resulted in at least three fatalities and significant disruptions to daily life, including flight suspensions and transit halts. The desert city’s infrastructure struggled to cope with the record storm, leading to flooded taxiways at Dubai International Airport and subsequent flight diversions, delays, and cancellations.

Extreme weather events like Tuesday’s storm are increasingly linked to climate change, with researchers anticipating higher temperatures, increased humidity, and heightened flooding risks in the Gulf region. The lack of drainage infrastructure in countries like the UAE further adds to the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall.