Record-Breaking Storm Floods Dubai: Roads Closed, Flights Disrupted, and Homes Damaged
On Thursday, Dubai worked to clear flooded roads and dry out homes after a record storm brought a year's worth of rainfall in one day on Tuesday.
The heavy rains caused significant damage, including at Dubai International Airport where flights were delayed, and many roads remained flooded.
The UAE had not experienced such heavy rains in the past 75 years, resulting in widespread disruption and flooding that trapped residents in traffic, offices, and homes.
Many reported home leaks, and footage showed malls with water pouring from roofs.
Traffic was heavily disrupted with a major highway reduced to one lane and the main road connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi closed in the Abu Dhabi direction.
Residents of Dubai, including Jonathan Richards from Britain and Rinku Makhecha, described the aftermath of a storm as resembling an alien invasion.
The storm caused extensive flooding, damaging homes and submerging vehicles, including buses, in some areas.
The flooding also affected Dubai Airport, causing taxiways to flood and resulting in flight diversions, delays, and cancellations.
Long queues formed at petrol stations.
Dubai Airport Chief Operating Officer Majed Al Joker expected the airport to reach 60 to 70 percent capacity by the end of Thursday and full operational capacity within 24 hours.
The text describes the challenges faced by the airport and some communities in Dubai due to heavy rains and flooding.
Access was limited to stranded passengers, and food supplies were hard to come by.
Delivery services were disrupted, but some were gradually returning to the streets.
Questions arose about whether cloud seeding, a rainfall-enhancing process, may have contributed to the storm.
The UAE government agency responsible for cloud seeding denied conducting any operations before the storm.
President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan ordered an assessment of the damage and support for affected families.
Dubai's Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors during a meeting with government officials.
They discussed and set directives to prepare comprehensive plans in response to natural crises, including unexpected weather conditions.
The UAE had not experienced such heavy rains in the past 75 years, resulting in widespread disruption and flooding that trapped residents in traffic, offices, and homes.
Many reported home leaks, and footage showed malls with water pouring from roofs.
Traffic was heavily disrupted with a major highway reduced to one lane and the main road connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi closed in the Abu Dhabi direction.
Residents of Dubai, including Jonathan Richards from Britain and Rinku Makhecha, described the aftermath of a storm as resembling an alien invasion.
The storm caused extensive flooding, damaging homes and submerging vehicles, including buses, in some areas.
The flooding also affected Dubai Airport, causing taxiways to flood and resulting in flight diversions, delays, and cancellations.
Long queues formed at petrol stations.
Dubai Airport Chief Operating Officer Majed Al Joker expected the airport to reach 60 to 70 percent capacity by the end of Thursday and full operational capacity within 24 hours.
The text describes the challenges faced by the airport and some communities in Dubai due to heavy rains and flooding.
Access was limited to stranded passengers, and food supplies were hard to come by.
Delivery services were disrupted, but some were gradually returning to the streets.
Questions arose about whether cloud seeding, a rainfall-enhancing process, may have contributed to the storm.
The UAE government agency responsible for cloud seeding denied conducting any operations before the storm.
President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan ordered an assessment of the damage and support for affected families.
Dubai's Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors during a meeting with government officials.
They discussed and set directives to prepare comprehensive plans in response to natural crises, including unexpected weather conditions.
Translation:
Translated by AI
