When it rains, it pours! 🌧️ Dubai, known for its dazzling skyscrapers and sun-soaked deserts, faced an unusual downpour on Saturday. Intense rainfall swept across the city and the wider United Arab Emirates, causing localized flooding and turning streets into rivers.
Over a staggering 50 millimeters of rain fell in just six hours—almost half of the country's annual average of 120 millimeters! 😮 Authorities scrambled to clear downed tree limbs and open drainage grates, but the sheer volume of water quickly overwhelmed some areas.
Drivers navigated through flooded roads as Dubai police shut down portions of major highways. To add to the drama, rare lightning storms lit up the afternoon sky, creating a surreal scene over the iconic cityscape.
At Dubai International Airport, one of the world's busiest hubs for international travel, flights were disrupted. Both Emirates and its low-cost sister airline, FlyDubai, faced delays as the rain continued to pour.
But it wasn't all chaos! Authorities had given the public a heads-up about the storm more than a day in advance. Emergency crews were prepped and ready, helping to mitigate some of the impact.
According to the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), the worst of the weather is expected to shift to the east and north of the country on Sunday. \"Rain is currently concentrated on the islands and northern coasts, between heavy and moderate, and it is expected clouds will continue to flow from west to east, accompanied by rainfall,\" NCEMA posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
While rain in the UAE is a rare sight, especially in such volumes, it does make occasional appearances during the cooler winter months. For residents and travelers, it's a gentle reminder that even in the desert, nature can surprise us! 🌦️
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Downpour sweeps across Dubai and the wider UAE, flights disrupted
cgtn.com
