World News

Dubai airport operations resume as roads are flooded with UAE's highest rainfall ever

The United Arab Emirates is currently facing the aftermath of heavy rainfall, which has caused significant disruptions across the country. 

The main airport is working hard to resume normal operations despite the challenges of flooded highways and roads in various locations.

Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest international airport, resumed operations for global carriers at its terminal building on Thursday morning.

In an update, the main terminal indicated that their T3 was now open for passengers to check in. Only passengers with confirmed tickets were asked to come. 

Check-in at Terminal 1 has stopped. Passengers are strongly advised to visit the airport terminal only if they have confirmed travel bookings. 

Long-haul journeys have become increasingly common in the world of travel. Despite facing setbacks since the storm on Tuesday, Emirates took proactive measures by halting outgoing flights from the UAE and assisting its connecting passengers with check-in procedures. 

Severe flooding on roadways prevented pilots and flight crews from reaching the airport or caused significant delays in their arrival. The next day, the airlines reverted their operations, and passengers could enter the airport. 

Several frustrated travellers at the airport shared their experiences of enduring hours-long waits to retrieve their luggage. Some eventually gave up and decided to return home, while others sought refuge in any available hotel. The issue of unresolved luggage remained a pressing concern for these individuals. 

In the Arabian Peninsula, the United Arab Emirates is governed by a lineage-based monarchy. The region experiences a predominantly desert climate, resulting in deficient yearly rainfall. 

A week-long forecast warning about an impending storm finally came to fruition as it swept through all seven emirates of the UAE. Dubai experienced significant rainfall, with approximately 5.58 centimetres recorded within 24 hours on Tuesday. 

In the Dubai airport, an average annual observation of rain gradually falling measures 3.73 inches. Other regions across the nation also experienced unprecedented levels of precipitation. 

In a national address on Wednesday night, Abu Dhabi's ruler, Muhammad bin Zayed al-Nahyam, announced that teams would be sent out to assess the nation's infrastructure and minimise any damage caused by the earthquake. 

As people navigated through the floodwaters on Thursday, they encountered the remnants of oil left behind by the water that had submerged their cars for several days.

They proceeded to investigate the status of the engines. Vacuums and low loader trucks have been spotted in a local community outside Dubai's downtown.

Due to the temporary closure of schools, students will be learning from home until next week. 

The authorities have not released any information regarding the total number of casualties or injuries. Tragically, the floods have caused a loss of life. 

Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, stated on X that the current crises reveal the nation's and society's strength. The recent climate crisis in our city has brought to light the strong social bonds and sense of responsibility and care, citizens and foreigners, have for every part of our country.

Speculation has arisen due to recent flooding in the UAE. The country's fog seeding effort, which involved planes dispersing chemicals to induce rain, is being considered as a potential cause for the heavy downpour. According to experts, rain systems of this nature are highly accurate in their predictions, which is why cloud seeding alone can result in flooding on such a large scale. 

Jeff Masters, a meteorologist at Yale Climate Connections, has attributed the heavy flooding in Dubai to a powerful weather system that spawned numerous whirlwinds. 

Climatologists have been reporting climate changes driven by human activities for many years. These changes are predicted to cause more intense and less predictable weather events worldwide.