Unprecedented Rainfall Causes Flooding at Dubai Airport, 18 Dead in Oman

DUBAI – The highest level of rain hit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and surrounding countries, causing the Dubai airport to sink and 18 people died in Oman.

Air travel in Dubai has been suspended due to flooding and is expected to continue until Wednesday (17/4/2024), according to authorities.

Dubai usually records about five inches of rain a year. The floods that fell on Tuesday night alone were equal to that amount.

For the United Arab Emirates, this is the most rainfall in 75 years, the National Meteorological Center and the country’s government announced on social media.

“Flights to Dubai International Airport were canceled on Tuesday,” the airport said.

Airport management suspended operations for at least 25 minutes earlier in the day due to severe storms.

The airport said there was “significant flooding” on the roads leading to the airport and urged people to check the status of their flight and “allow significant extra travel time to the airport and use Dubai Metro for smoother movement.”

More rain is expected overnight in Dubai and across the United Arab Emirates, starting in the west and spreading east, according to the meteorological centre.