Heavy rainfall has persisted in Gulf states, resulting in fatal flash floods and disrupting operations at the world’s second-busiest airport.
Quoted Sentence: “Dubai International Airport warned of “very challenging conditions” and advised some passengers not to turn up due to areas being inundated by water.”
Dubai International Airport issued cautions about “very challenging conditions,” urging select passengers to reconsider their plans due to flooding in certain areas.
Further north, an individual lost their life when their vehicle got trapped in flash floods.
In Oman, the discovery of a girl’s body in Saham brings the country’s death toll to 19 since Sunday.
Flight Aware data revealed that approximately 300 flights to and from Dubai International Airport were canceled on Wednesday, with hundreds more facing delays.
Emirates, headquartered in Dubai, halted check-in for departing passengers until Thursday.
Anticipating more thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and strong winds, authorities warned of ongoing risks, especially in low-lying regions.
“The United Arab Emirates, Oman’s northern neighbor, experienced on Tuesday its largest rainfall event since records began 75 years ago,” announced the National Centre of Meteorology.
The heavy rain in Dubai contrasted sharply with its usual dry climate, with footage showing submerged vehicles and traffic disruptions.
Anne Wing, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, described chaotic scenes at the airport, expressing frustration at the lack of assistance from Emirates.
While no fatalities were reported in Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah saw an elderly man lose his life in a flash flood.
Despite an easing of rain by Tuesday evening, Dubai International Airport cautioned travelers about potential disruptions and crowding.
Emirates informed customers of a suspension in airport check-ins until Thursday morning.
Dubai Airports CEO, Paul Griffiths, remarked that the conditions were unprecedented in living memory.
In Oman, over 1,400 individuals sought refuge in shelters, and schools and government offices shut down as a precautionary measure.
The aftermath of the floods sparked debates about the role of cloud seeding in exacerbating extreme weather events.
However, experts emphasized that while cloud seeding programs exist in the UAE, they couldn’t significantly influence such severe storms.
Climate change, characterized by a warming atmosphere, contributes to the likelihood of extreme rainfall events, as witnessed across the Gulf region.
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