- Intense rainfall caused flooding on major highways and disrupted flights at Dubai International Airport.
- Inland areas of the UAE received over 80mm of rain in 24 hours, close to the annual average of about 100mm.
- The National Center for Meteorology advised residents to be cautious and avoid flooded areas.
The government has labeled this rainfall as the most significant in 75 years. It began on Monday night, and by Tuesday evening, Dubai had received over 142mm (5.59in) of rain.
🔥🚨DEVELOPING: Dubai underwater, Influencers are stranded in their Rolls Royces in flooded roads as skies turn black in apocalyptic scenes as storm hits region.
More than 4.7ins (120mm) of rain has already fallen today – the typical yearly average in the city.
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) April 16, 2024
Morning in Dubai pic.twitter.com/gmX11Uuk2A
— S p r i n t e r F a c t o r y (@Sprinterfactory) April 17, 2024
This amount typically represents what the city receives in about a year and a halt.
Besides Dubai International Airport, which typically gets around 94.7 millimeters (or 3.73 inches) of rain each year, certain inland areas of the UAE received over 80mm (3.2 inches) of rain in 24 hours until 8 a.m. on Tuesday. This amount is near the annual average of about 100mm.
The Dubai mall yesterday due to heavy rains. pic.twitter.com/G7S42dyx15
— Evarts (@r_evarts) April 17, 2024
I walked around Downtown Dubai and Dubai Mall. Water has come down. Some flooding in the mall with some areas closed off. No taxis in downtown so a lot of tourists look stranded. I’m sure all good by tomorrow #dubairains pic.twitter.com/gmVlsbFmOR
— Yorgos Kleivokiotis (@YorgosKlivo) April 16, 2024
Images posted on social media show flooding at the Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates. Additionally, at least one Dubai Metro station reported ankle-deep water.
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The National Center for Meteorology, in a post on X, advised residents to take precautions and avoid flooded areas and water accumulation.
The National Centre of Meteorology has verified the record rainfall in the 24 hours up to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, with more rain forecasted. The center noted the highest rainfall in the Khatm Al Shakla area of Al Ain, reaching 254mm in under 24 hours.
