Dubai Flood Photos: Airport flooded, roads and schools shut as torrential rains wreak havoc in desert city | PICS
Dubai Flood: In a span of a few hours, major parts of the city, including major portions of the highways and Dubai International Airport, were flooded by the rain.
Dubai Flood: In one of the bizarre weather events in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, April 16, the desert city-state of Dubai received over a year-and-a-half worth of heavy rain and thunderstorms in a day.
In a span of a few hours, major parts of the city, including major portions of the highways and Dubai International Airport, were flooded by the rain.
According to meteorological data collected at Dubai International Airport, the downpour started late Monday, April 15, soaking Dubai's sands and roadways with almost 20 millimetres of rain.
Around 9 AM (local time) on Tuesday, the storms intensified and persisted the entire day, showering the city with more rain and hail.
Dubai Flood: Start of the chaos
By Tuesday evening, Dubai was submerged by almost 142 millimetres of rain. On average, the Dubai International Airport, which is the busiest international airport in the world and home to long-haul airline Emirates, sees 94.7 millimetres of rain every year.
Dubai Flood: Flights Cancelled
The airport authority halted arrivals on Tuesday night as water lapped on taxiways as aircraft landed. Passengers struggled to reach terminals through the floodwater covering surrounding roads.
Dubai Flood: Thunderstruck at Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, was also periodically struck by lightning during the thunderstorm.
Dubai Flood: Schools, government institutes shut
Schools across the UAE were shut down ahead of the storm, and government employees were also asked to work remotely. Many workers stayed home, but some ventured out, unfortunately stalling out of their vehicles in deeper-than-expected water covering some roads. On Wednesday, authorities cancelled schools and government institutes were shut.
Dubai Flood: One death reported
There was no official information on overall damage or injury; however, in the country's northernmost emirate, Ras al-Khaimah, police reported the death of a 70-year-old man as a result of his vehicle being swept away by floodwater.
Dubai Flood: Fujairah saw the most rain
At 145 millimetres, the UAE's easternmost emirate, Fujairah, saw the most rain on Tuesday.