1 month ago
Dubai, United Arab Emirates — Heavy rains lashed nan United Arab Emirates connected Tuesday, flooding portions of awesome highways, leaving vehicles abandoned connected roadways crossed Dubai and grinding postulation astatine nan city-state's immense world airdrome concisely to a halt. Meanwhile, nan decease toll from abstracted dense flooding successful neighboring Oman roseate to 18, pinch others still missing arsenic nan sultanate prepared for nan storm.
The rains began overnight, leaving monolithic ponds connected usually parched streets and airdrome tarmacs arsenic whipping winds contributed to formation disruptions astatine Dubai International Airport, nan world's busiest for world recreation and nan location of nan long-haul bearer Emirates. By nan evening, much than 4.75 inches of rainfall had soaked nan UAE — nan emblematic mean for an full twelvemonth successful nan godforsaken federation — pinch much expected successful nan coming hours.
Cars are seen connected a flooded thoroughfare during a rainstorm successful Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 16, 2024.
Abdel Hadi Ramahi/REUTERS
Police and emergency unit drove slow done nan flooded streets, their emergency lights flashing arsenic bolts of lightning flashed crossed nan sky, occasionally rubbing nan extremity of nan Burj Khalifa, nan world's tallest building.
Schools crossed nan UAE, a federation of 7 sheikhdoms, mostly unopen up of nan large wind and authorities labor were mostly moving remotely wherever possible. Many workers stayed location arsenic well, though immoderate ventured out, pinch nan unfortunate stalling retired their vehicles successful deeper-than-expected h2o covering immoderate roads.
Authorities sent tanker trucks retired into nan streets to pump distant nan floodwaters, which poured into immoderate homes, forcing group to drawback buckets and pails to effort to bail retired their houses.
Rain is different successful nan UAE, an arid Arabian Peninsula nation, but occurs periodically during nan cooler wintertime months. Many roads and different areas deficiency drainage fixed nan deficiency of regular rainfall, which has exacerbated nan flooding.
Vehicles are seen connected a flooded thoroughfare during a rainstorm successful Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 16, 2024.
Abdel Hadi Ramahi/REUTERS
Rain besides fell successful Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
In neighboring Oman, a sultanate that rests connected nan eastbound separator of nan Arabian Peninsula, astatine slightest 18 group had been killed successful dense rains successful caller days, according to a Tuesday connection from nan country's National Committee for Emergency Management. That includes astir 10 schoolchildren who were swept distant Monday successful a conveyance on pinch an adult.
Climatologists person warned for years that human-driven climate change is fueling more utmost and little predictable weather events crossed nan globe.
Parts of confederate Russia and Central Asia person besides been dealing for days pinch unusually damaging amounts of rainfall and snowmelt, forcing tens of thousands of group to evacuate to higher crushed and killing much than 60 people successful Pakistan and Afghanistan.
- In:
- Storm
- United Arab Emirates
- Weather Forecast
- Travel
- Severe Weather
- Persian Gulf
- Flooding
- Flash Flooding
- Dubai
