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UAE Flooded: Flights Canceled Amidst Heavy Rains
19 Dec
Summary
- Dozens of flights were canceled or delayed due to heavy rains.
- Flooded streets in major cities like Sharjah required wading.
- The downpour evoked memories of record April 2024 floods.
The United Arab Emirates faced severe weather on Friday, with the heaviest rainstorm in months causing extensive flooding across major cities and disrupting air travel. Dubai and Sharjah experienced significant road closures, with residents seen wading through waterlogged streets. Airport authorities reported dozens of flight cancellations and delays, impacting operations at Dubai's main hub and Sharjah's airport.
The intense downpour, accompanied by lightning and thunder, has drawn comparisons to the record rains in April 2024, which paralyzed Dubai's air traffic and led to over 2,000 flight cancellations. Authorities had urged residents to remain indoors as the storm approached, and water-pumping trucks were deployed to clear blocked roads.
Similar heavy rainfall affected other Gulf states, including Qatar, where a football match was canceled. This year's intense rains follow a pattern, as last year's record downpours killed at least four people and caused widespread disruption. Studies suggest that global warming may have exacerbated such extreme weather events in the region.
