Heavy Rains Ground Numerous UAE Flights

Life in the United Arab Emirates has been severely disrupted due to adverse weather conditions. As heavy rainfall and thunderstorms continue to lash many parts of the country today (19), authorities have advised residents to evacuate flood-prone areas and seek shelter in safe locations.

They further urged people to avoid unnecessary travel.

This adverse weather condition has also severely impacted air travel, with major airlines such as Emirates and Flydubai taking steps to cancel or delay numerous flights. Emirates Airlines announced that several flights scheduled to operate today from Dubai to Tehran, Dammam, Basra, Muscat, Kuwait, Bahrain, Seychelles, Malé, Colombo, Peshawar, Frankfurt, and Incheon have been cancelled. The airline requests passengers to obtain updated information about their flights online and to keep their contact details current. Air Arabia has also informed passengers to be aware of potential flight delays due to the inclement weather.

Meanwhile, a fatality has also been reported due to the weather changes. A 27-year-old Indian national named Salman Faris died in the Ras Al Khaimah area after a wall collapsed amidst heavy rain. Considering the prevailing hazardous conditions across the country, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has urged private sector employees in affected areas to adopt remote work arrangements. Furthermore, all parks and beaches managed by the Abu Dhabi City Municipality have been temporarily closed, and community events have been suspended.

The current adverse weather conditions have also severely disrupted normal traffic flow, and Dubai Police have urged drivers to exercise extreme caution due to reduced visibility on roads caused by rain, lightning, and strong winds. The speed limit on the Al Ain - Dubai road has been reduced to 100 kilometers per hour, and Abu Dhabi Police have instructed drivers to follow the directions displayed on electronic signboards.

The Sharjah Civil Defense Authority has also issued warnings regarding flood risks, stating that flash floods could occur throughout Friday. They have advised the public to avoid driving through flooded roads or areas with rapidly flowing water, and to keep children away from accumulated rainwater. To ensure road safety and maintain smooth traffic flow, Dubai's RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) has deployed 24-hour rapid response units and disaster management teams. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) warns that further rain, thunder, lightning, strong winds, and rough seas are expected.