Torrential rains on Tuesday have turned the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its surroundings into a virtual aquatic expanse. The deluge has paralyzed many cities with floods, leading to a tragic loss of 18 lives in the neighboring country of Oman.
The brunt of the flooding has severely affected Dubai's traffic, disrupting both ground and air transportation. Dubai's airport has become swamped with water, resulting in numerous flight cancellations. Preceding this, on Monday, Dubai police had issued a public safety advisory alerting residents to the adverse weather conditions.
The UAE's meteorological department has issued warnings of heavy rain and hailstorms across major cities including Dubai and Abu Dhabi over the next 24 hours.
The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) indicated that from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning (April 17), another wave of poor weather could commence from the western regions and potentially spread to many parts of the country.
Inclement Weather Expected to Persist Through Wednesday
The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority reported at least 17 fatalities following sudden floods in various parts of Oman on Sunday (April 14) and Monday (April 15), with rains of varying intensity continuing across the nation. The foreboding weather is expected to continue until Wednesday.
Floods in Dubai the Previous Year
Last November, Dubai also experienced severe weather conditions. Stormy rains had caused flood-like situations in the city so dire that the administration banned people from visiting the coastal areas. The sudden shift in weather pattern in this typically warm and desert country baffled scientists worldwide.
