Dubai: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) witnessed heavy rainfall, which caused flooding and disruption in some parts of the country. Dubai, the largest and most populous city in the UAE, was among the worst affected areas, where waterlogged roads hampered traffic and flight operations.
The local administration issued an alert to the residents of Dubai, advising them to avoid beaches and stay indoors as a precautionary measure. The Dubai Police also warned the public about the hazardous conditions caused by the rain at 6.30 am. The National Meteorological Center of UAE issued yellow and orange alerts, indicating moderate to severe weather events.
Many videos and photos of the flooded roads were shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), showing the extent of the damage. In one of the videos, a man was seen driving a small boat on a submerged road, while other videos showed cars struggling to move through the water. Some people also reported power outages and water leakage in their homes.
The Dubai Municipality activated its emergency plan and deployed teams to pump out the excess water from the roads and public facilities. The municipality also urged the public to report any incidents or complaints related to the rain through its toll-free number or its smart app.
The heavy rain was caused by a low-pressure system that formed over the Arabian Sea and moved towards the UAE. The weather forecast for Sunday (November 19) predicted cloudy skies with a chance of more rain and thunderstorms. The public was advised to follow the official updates and instructions from the authorities and to exercise caution while driving or venturing outdoors.