The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was hit by heavy rainfall on Thursday, resulting in a significant number of flight cancellations and the suspension of bus services in Dubai.
As a result of the heavy rains, people and students have been instructed to work and study remotely from home. The MeT department in Dubai issued an orange alert for Friday as well.
In response to the adverse weather conditions, the UAE authorities have mandated that all educational institutions, including private schools, nurseries, and universities, transition to online classes.
They have also advised companies to allow their employees to work remotely. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has stated that this decision applies to all private schools, nurseries, and universities.
Dubai has implemented a work-from-home policy for government employees on May 2 and May 3, and has closed all parks and beaches. The unfavorable weather conditions in Dubai on Thursday disrupted flight operations, affecting departures, arrivals, and flights across Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Abu Dhabi. IndiGo, Vistara, and SpiceJet have all reported the impact on their operations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah due to adverse weather conditions.
IndiGo airline, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), mentioned that their flight operations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah were affected by the adverse weather conditions. Dubai Airports and two local airlines issued advisories to passengers on Wednesday, informing them to expect delays when traveling to Dubai International Airport.
According to Khaleej Times, Dubai’s national daily, five inbound flights to Dubai were diverted on Thursday night, and nine arrivals and four outbound flights were canceled. Abu Dhabi experienced waterlogging in several streets, while strong winds were reported in Jebel Ali, Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai Industrial City, Dubai Investments Park, and Jumeirah Village Triangle.
In April, Dubai witnessed heavy rains and thunderstorms that brought an unprecedented amount of rainfall within a 24-hour period, equivalent to more than a year’s worth.
On April 15, the downpour began and intensified the following day, causing extensive flooding on highways and disrupting flights at the Dubai International Airport.
According to meteorological data collected at the Dubai International Airport, the rainfall measured 20 mm (0.79 inches), leading to the inundation of roads in Dubai. The storms continued to intensify on April 16, persisting throughout the entire day.
As the busiest airport for international travel worldwide, the Dubai International Airport had to employ 22 tankers equipped with vacuum pumps to remove the water from its premises.
