Intense rainfall swept across Dubai and the wider United Arab Emirates on Saturday, bringing nearly 50 millimeters of rain to Dubai over six hours. This is a significant amount for a region that typically averages under 120 millimeters of precipitation annually. The heavy downpour led to localized flooding and disrupted operations at Dubai International Airport, one of the world's busiest hubs for international travel. Emirates and FlyDubai both experienced flight delays and cancellations as the rain overwhelmed some areas despite the authorities' swift response. Crews were deployed to collect downed tree limbs and open drainage grates, but the intensity of the storm proved challenging. Additionally, portions of a major highway were shut down by Dubai police, causing traffic to slow amidst standing water, while rare lightning storms illuminated the afternoon sky. Authorities had issued warnings about the approaching storm over a day in advance, allowing emergency personnel to prepare for the unusual weather. According to the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), the heaviest rainfall was expected to shift to the east and north of the country on Sunday. NCEMA stated that \\"Rain is currently concentrated on the islands and northern coasts, between heavy and moderate, and it is expected clouds will continue to flow from west to east, accompanied by rainfall.\\" Though rare in the arid Arabian Peninsula, such rainfalls do occur periodically during the cooler winter months.
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Downpour sweeps across Dubai and the wider UAE, flights disrupted
cgtn.com
