Dubai became a floating city in just 12 hours - At the airport, planes turned into submarines
A year's worth of rain that fell in just 12 hours caused massive flooding in Dubai on Tuesday, as roads turned into rivers and rushing waters inundated homes and businesses.
Shocking video has shown the runway at Dubai International Airport - recently crowned the world's second busiest airport - covered in water and huge aircrafts have become...underwater.
The airport was shut down for almost half an hour on Tuesday. "Operations continue to be significantly disrupted," the airport confirmed in a statement. "There is major flooding on access roads around Dubai leading to the airport."
Heavy rains and Thunderstorms hit #UAE causing flooding in #Dubai. Cars are stuck on the highways as a result#DubaiStorm pic.twitter.com/ijJPMRBwWZ
— 99 attempts (@Itismourinho) April 17, 2024
Nearly 4 inches (100 mm) of rain fell in just 12 hours on Tuesday, according to weather observatories at the airport – about as much as Dubai gets in an entire year, according to United Nations figures.
The rain came down so hard and so fast that some drivers were forced to abandon their vehicles as floodwaters rose and roads turned into rivers.
Video on social media showed water rushing through a shopping center in the area and flooding the ground floor of houses.
The iconic Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates were flooded, according to images posted on social media.
see #دبي#منقف_الهدير pic.twitter.com/8gswSzbJKJ
— العربية Emirates (@AlArabiyaUAE) April 16, 2024
Lightning was seen flashing across the sky, occasionally touching the edge of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.
The United Arab Emirates government media office posted on X's account that the rainfall was an "extraordinary" climate event. More rain is expected.
As the Guardian reports, schools across the United Arab Emirates are expected to remain closed on Wednesday, while the Dubai government has also extended remote working for employees.
Source: skai.gr