INTERNATIONAL – The airport transformed into a swimming pool. Torrential rains fell on the United Arab Emirates, completely flooding the runways of the international airport and forcing companies to divert arriving flights on Tuesday, April 16. More broadly, several towns were paralyzed by flooding caused by torrential rains.
Two other Gulf countries, Bahrain and Oman, also suffered heavy flooding. In Oman, moreover, 18 people died due to flash floods which swept away vehicles. Numerous images are circulating on social networks, showing the extent of the damage as shown in the video at the top of the article.
Dubai airport, one of the busiest in the world where more than 100 flights were expected Tuesday evening, had to interrupt its operations for 25 minutes in the chaos caused by the storm. An extremely rare phenomenon in the desert country. “Due to exceptional weather conditions, Dubai International Airport is temporarily diverting flights expected this evening until the situation improves”, said a spokesperson for Dubai Airport. Departing flights continue, he said.
Exceptional floods
Major shopping centers in Dubai were flooded, according to images posted on social media, as were roads and a metro station. Schools have been closed in the Emirates and are expected to remain closed on Wednesday, as further heavy rain is expected.
The Dubai government also extended teleworking for its employees until Wednesday. The Emirati and Omani governments have previously warned that climate change risks leading to more flooding.
In Oman, at least 18 people have died since Sunday in floods after the body of a child was discovered on Tuesday, according to authorities. Nine schoolchildren and three adults died when their vehicles were swept away by flash floods, ONA news agency reported on Sunday.
In total, according to the media specializing in the environment Bon Pote, “119 mm of rain in 24 hours at Dubai airport. This is 1.5 times more than what it falls in a year.” A figure which clearly shows the extent of the phenomenon. Due to climate change, the intensity and duration of this type of natural disaster will increase.
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