Dubai Floods, Flight Disruptions Worsen as Heavy Rains Persist - Weekend Forecast Uncertain

Heavy rains continued to pummel Dubai on Friday, inundating streets and causing widespread disruptions to air travel. The UAE's aviation sector was severely impacted, with dozens of flights cancelled or delayed across airports. A stark reminder of the 2024 floods that brought the city to a standstill, the torrential downpour evoked memories of the record-breaking rains that forced the cancellation of over 2,000 flights at Dubai International Airport. According to the National Centre of Meteorology, Saqr Port recorded the highest rainfall total of 98 millimeters. The forecast suggests that more rain is expected over the weekend, accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 50 km/h. The Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea are also expected to experience rough sea conditions. Dubai Airports confirmed that 13 Emirates flights were cancelled on Friday, with additional delays and cancellations reported at Sharjah's airport. Neighbourhoods were severely affected, prompting many private offices to instruct employees to work from home. Dubai Police had issued a warning on Thursday, advising residents to exercise caution and stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. Following the heavy rainfall, water-pumping trucks were deployed to clear blocked roads and large puddles in the streets. The UAE is not the only Gulf state to experience severe weather, with Qatar also bearing the brunt of heavy rain. The Arab Cup football's third-place play-off match between Saudi Arabia and UAE was cancelled on Thursday. Last year's downpours in the UAE, the most severe on record, resulted in at least four fatalities and brought Dubai to a standstill for days. A study by the World Weather Attribution group found that global warming likely exacerbated the intense rains that lashed the UAE and Oman.