The United Arab Emirates experienced heavy rainfall and flooding over the weekend as a strong weather system impacted the entire country. Cities and towns from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah saw travel disruptions and flooded roads as rains pounded the region for over 24 hours.
It began raining heavily on Friday evening across the seven emirates that make up the UAE. By Saturday morning, roads were flooded in many areas and authorities issued advisories urging residents to stay home. Videos and images shared on social media showed waterlogged streets in Dubai, Sharjah, Hatta and other locations. Some low-lying areas were completely submerged under several inches of rainwater.
The rainfall was described as one of the heaviest in recent years by officials. It overwhelmed drainage systems in many parts of the country. Major roads like Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai saw large pools of water accumulating due to the downpour. Underpasses and low-lying areas were worst affected. Traffic came to a standstill in some locations as vehicles struggled to navigate through waterlogged roads.
Authorities worked round the clock to mitigate issues and ensure public safety. Dubai Police deployed teams on the ground to manage traffic and assist stranded motorists. The Ministry of Interior issued alerts urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and drive slowly in wet weather conditions. Some roads had to be temporarily closed due to landslides and flooding.
At Dubai International Airport, at least 13 inbound flights had to be diverted to nearby airports on Saturday morning as flight operations were impacted. Passengers faced delays and disruptions. Major tourist attractions like Dubai’s Global Village and parks across Abu Dhabi were shut for public safety. Events and outdoor activities were cancelled or postponed.
By Saturday evening, rainfall had started to subside in most parts of the country. However, authorities continued warnings about unstable weather conditions through Sunday. Intermittent rains were predicted in some northern emirates. Recovery efforts were underway to clear flooded roads and restore normalcy. The weather system is said to have impacted the entire GCC region over the weekend, causing similar issues in other Gulf countries as well.
The extreme rainfall highlighted the UAE’s vulnerability to such weather events due to its arid climate. It served as a reminder for residents to follow safety guidelines issued by authorities during floods or unstable weather conditions. While disruptions to daily life were reported, timely precautionary measures and response helped mitigate impacts on a larger scale. As recovery continues, authorities will review lessons to strengthen preparedness for future extreme weather episodes.
