Four dead in UAE due to heavy rains, Dubai Airport still disrupted post-storm

UAE Storm Claims Four Lives, Record Rainfall Sparks Chaos

Heavy rains earlier this week in the United Arab Emirates resulted in tragic consequences, with the death toll rising to four and extensive disruptions across the region. The storm, originating in Oman over the weekend, claimed at least 20 lives before intensifying over the UAE on Tuesday, marking the heaviest rainfall in 75 years of recorded history.

Among the casualties were two Philippine women and one man, tragically losing their lives in their vehicles amidst the flooding, as reported by authorities in Manila. Additionally, an Emirati man in his 70s met a similar fate when his vehicle was swept away by the powerful floods in the northern Ras Al Khaimah emirate.

Scientists are increasingly pointing to human-induced global warming as a contributing factor to the escalating frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as the recent deluge in both the UAE and Oman.

The repercussions of the storm reverberated throughout the region, particularly affecting Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest hubs for travel in the Middle East. Even three days after the storm, the airport struggled to clear a backlog of flights, with arrival restrictions implemented for two days until Sunday. This led to significant disruptions, impacting not only passengers but also airlines like Emirates, which suspended check-in services for transit passengers while maintaining services for those whose final destination was Dubai.

The scale of the disruption was evident in the staggering number of flight cancellations, with approximately 1,478 flights to and from Dubai scrapped since Tuesday, constituting around 30% of all flights, according to FlightRadar24.

In contrast, flight operations returned to normal in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, with the state carrier, Etihad Airways, reporting no major disruptions.

Meanwhile, the challenges persisted on the ground, with the main road connecting Dubai, the most populous emirate, with Abu Dhabi, remaining partially closed on Friday. Alternative routes saw vehicles navigating through waterlogged roads, past abandoned cars and buses, underscoring the extent of the damage caused by the storm.

Reports emerged from the northern regions of the UAE, including Sharjah, of individuals still trapped in their homes, with widespread damage reported to businesses and infrastructure.

The rarity of heavy rainfall in the UAE, renowned for its hot desert climate, adds to the gravity of the situation, highlighting the vulnerability of the region to such extreme weather events.

Looking ahead, the UAE’s National Center of Meteorology warned of the potential for further rainfall, with predictions suggesting a return of light showers by late Monday, followed by the possibility of heavy rain again on Tuesday in certain areas.