DUBAI, UAE -- Numerous flights bound for Dubai faced cancellations and diversions on Thursday, as the United Arab Emirates experienced heavy rainfall for the second time within a month.
A spokesperson from the airport authority reported that five inbound flights were redirected overnight, with nine arrivals and four departures canceled.
In April, intense thunderstorms unleashed the most substantial precipitation ever recorded in the UAE within hours, leading to flooding on major highways and Dubai International Airport, recognized as the world’s busiest for international travel and a central hub for the long-haul carrier Emirates. The airport required the assistance of 22 tankers equipped with vacuum pumps to clear the water from its premises.
Authorities cautioned residents to remain indoors in anticipation of Thursday’s rainfall, advising remote work and online schooling for students.
While the rainfall on Thursday did not result in significant issues or flooding, authorities issued warnings on Wednesday and took preemptive measures.
The flooding two weeks prior swiftly overwhelmed the drainage systems in the UAE, inundating neighborhoods, commercial areas, and even sections of the 12-lane Sheikh Zayed Highway connecting Dubai and the adjacent emirate of Abu Dhabi. Numerous residents suffered losses due to flooded homes, and numerous vehicles were severely damaged.
