Flights arriving into Dubai airport – the world’s busiest for worldwide journey – are being briefly diverted this night to different places because the city-state is hit by main flooding after heavy rainfall.
Greater than 120mm (4.7 inches) of rain got here down in Dubai on Tuesday, which is the everyday yearly common within the desert nation – with extra anticipated within the coming hours.
Houses and roads have been flooded and partially submerged automobiles have been left deserted.
The tarmac at Dubai airport was additionally flooded as planes made their approach round what seemed extra like a lake.
Automobiles hit by flooding in Dubai. Pic: Reuters
Earlier, it was introduced airport operations have been suspended for 25 minutes because of the unhealthy climate, with at the least 21 outbound and 24 inbound flights cancelled through the day, and three flights diverted to different airports.
Regardless of the disruption, the airport stated departure flights are persevering with to function.
There was additionally heavy rainfall in different elements of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a federation of seven emirates – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
Sky Information climate producer Joanna Robinson stated: “Intense showers and thunderstorms have been affecting japanese elements of the Arabian Peninsula and southern Iran right now, with additional flooding rains doable on Wednesday.
“The chance may also prolong into southwestern elements of Pakistan.
“It is commonplace to see flash flooding occasions within the United Arab Emirates, it occurs most years, however often between December and March.
“It seems to be like over 40mm of rain fell at each Dubai airports earlier right now, probably making it the wettest April day in Dubai in accordance with the Met Workplace.
“City areas and baked floor each enhance the danger of floor water flooding because the water is unable to soak by the bottom simply.”
Lightning flashed throughout the sky, and it generally touched the tip of the world’s tallest constructing – the Burj Khalifa.
Rain is uncommon within the UAE – but it surely occurs periodically through the cooler winter months.
A automotive drives by floodwater on a highway following heavy rain in Dubai. Pic: Reuters
Many roads and different areas have inadequate drainage because of the lack of standard rainfall, inflicting flooding.
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Police and emergency personnel have been seen driving slowly by the flooded streets, and tanker vans have been despatched on to the streets to pump away the water.
Rain additionally fell in Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
In the meantime, at the least 18 folks have died in neighbouring Oman following latest heavy rain.
The victims included 10 schoolchildren and an grownup who have been swept away in a automobile.
