Dubai was hit by the unprecedented rain on April 16 that caused floods across the UAE and Bahrain and left 18 dead in Oman. According to reports, the desert city received over a year and a half's worth of rain in one day.
Shopping centres Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates both suffered flooding. Water was ankle-deep in at least one Dubai Metro station, according to images posted on social media. One of the viral videos showed workers removing water from the Chanel and Fendi luxury stores inside a mall. Another video showed water crashing into the showroom of Danish variety store chain Flying Tiger.
The rains forced Dubai International Airport to suspend operations for 25 minutes. Schools were shut and the traffic came to a standstill.
Dubai receives 3.12 inches of rain per year on average, according to the World Meteorological Organisation. “Dubai is experiencing major flooding as 1.5 year’s worth of rain just fell in a single day. Nearly 5 inches (127 mm) fell in 24 hours,” climate scientist Colin McCarthy posted on his X account.
The Asian Champions League football semi-final between the UAE's Al Ain and Saudi side Al Hilal, due to be hosted in Al Ain, was postponed for 24 hours because of the weather.
People posted images of cars being swept off roads and the ceiling of a shop collapsing as water inundated one of Dubai’s most popular malls. Police and emergency vehicles navigated through the waterlogged streets with emergency lights reflecting off the flooded areas. Even the iconic Burj Khalifa witnessed lightning strikes against its structure amid the chaotic weather.
Authorities were forced to deploy tanker trucks to pump out water from streets and highways.
Both Oman and the UAE, which hosted last year's COP28 UN climate talks, have previously warned that global warming may lead to more flooding.
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