Heavy storms struck the Gulf, flooding Dubai roads, homes, and malls and suspending Dubai airport operations. The UAE’s financial hub, Dubai, experienced significant disruptions due to the flooding. The Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates were inundated, and the Dubai Metro station had ankle-deep water. Similarly, roads and neighbourhoods across the UAE faced severe flooding.
Schools are closed throughout the UAE and will stay shut until Wednesday, when storms, including hail, are expected to continue. Dubai Airport, a major international hub, halted flights for 25 minutes, affecting over 50 flights. Social media displayed images of flooded airport tarmacs.
Following the storm, Dubai Airport operations resumed and are recovering. The Asian Champions League football match in Al Ain was also delayed due to the adverse weather.
Governments in the region have linked such frequent flooding to climate change, which scientists agree enhances the severity of weather patterns. After impacting Oman with deadly consequences, the storms hit Bahrain, causing extensive flooding exacerbated by thunder and lightning.
The storm system had previously wreaked havoc in Oman, resulting in 18 fatalities with ongoing searches for the missing.
