Cleanup begins on a war footing in UAE after heavy rain

Authorities and communities across the UAE were clearing debris on a war footing on Wednesday after homes and businesses were damaged in a rare torrential storm.

The extent of the damage was not immediately clear as emergency workers sought to drain flooded roads across the country hours after heavy rain subsided late on Tuesday.

The UAE saw record rainfall in 75 years with 254 mm (10 inches) falling in less than 24 hours in Al Ain, a city on the UAE-Oman border, according to the national meteorology centre. That was the most since records began in 1949, before the UAE was formed in 1971.

Climate scientists say that rising global temperatures, driven by man-made climate change, is leading to more extreme weather events, including intense rainfall like the UAE storm.

Roads blocked, flights distrupted

The impact of the heavy rain continued to be felt on Wednesday, with roads blocked and flights severely disrupted.

Dubai International Airport, one of the world's busiest, said after the storm subsided that the heavy rain had caused significant disruptions, with flights delayed and diverted, and advised passengers in Dubai against travelling to the airport.

"We are working hard to recover operations as quickly as possible in very challenging conditions," the airport wrote on X.

The impact of the heavy rain continued to be felt on Wednesday, with roads blocked and flights severely disrupted.

Some foreign airlines cancelled flights to Dubai.

The government of Dubai ordered schools to continue teaching classes online on Thursday, as emergency workers cleared debris, including trees and balcony furniture, from the streets.

Local media and social media posts showed significant damage across the country, including collapsed roads and flooded homes.

In neighbouring Oman, 19 people died, including school children after three consecutive days of heavy rain, according to Omani media, which published images of flooded communities.

The Times of Oman reported that more rain was expected on Wednesday. In Dubai, the skies were clear and in some areas the roads were quiet after the government ordered its employees and all schools to work remotely for a second consecutive day.

Social media posts on Tuesday showed flooded roads and car parks with some vehicles completely submerged. Sheikh Zayed Road, a 12-lane highway through Dubai, was partially flooded, leaving people stuck in a kilometres-long traffic jam for hours.

Reuters