Dubai is grappling with the aftershocks of unprecedented torrential rains that flooded the desert city, leaving behind a trail of chaos and despair. The usually arid country of the United Arab Emirates witnessed a staggering 259.5mm (10.2in) of rain on Tuesday, marking the most in 75 years of recorded history. The state-run WAM news agency described it as “a historic weather event” that surpassed anything documented since 1949.
As the sun rose on Wednesday, stories of people stranded in cars and offices for the night began to emerge. One Dubai resident, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted his harrowing 12-hour ordeal, saying, “It was one of the most horrific situations I had ever experienced.” His 15-minute commute turned into a marathon due to the flooded roads.
The chaos at Dubai’s airport, one of the busiest international hubs, was palpable. Nearly every flight was delayed, with passengers told to stay away unless absolutely necessary. A large crowd gathered at a connections desk, clapping and whistling in protest as they waited for information. “They are completely lost, it’s complete chaos – no information, nothing,” said one frustrated passenger.
Aircraft landed on taxiways covered in standing water, while passengers were diverted to Dubai World Central Airport, also known as Al Maktoum airport. Those who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity described the situation as “absolute carnage.” They reported seeing people sleeping in the metro station and airport, with no taxis available.
Other passengers told the BBC they had been “living on duty-free” and that water was in short supply. One irate British traveler complained to PA Media, saying, “It’s just been an absolute disaster. We’re stuck here and seven hours without a single update is inexcusable.” Emirates, the flagship airline, apologised for the disruptions, cancelling all check-ins and suspending services until Thursday morning.
Rippling Effects of History-Making Rain Hit DubaiThe UAE government responded promptly, ordering the deployment of soldiers to flood-hit areas, including neighboring Oman, where 20 people have died, including 10 schoolchildren swept away in a vehicle. Schools in Dubai will remain closed until next week, highlighting the extent of the damage.
In a rare direct intervention, the UAE president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, instructed authorities to quickly assess the condition of infrastructure throughout the country and limit the damage. The president also ordered affected families to be transferred to safe locations. Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, wrote about the efforts being made by citizens and residents to resolve the situation, as dramatic music played in the background.
Similar scenes of flooding were witnessed across the Gulf state, including in Sharjah, where people waded through main streets and paddled around on makeshift boats. At least one person was killed in the flooding, a 70-year-old man who was swept away in his car in Ras al-Khaimah.
The UAE government announced that remote working for most federal government employees would continue into another day due to the impact of the flooding. With the city of Dubai struggling to recover from the disaster, the ripples of history-making rain are still being felt.