Dubai Airport Chaos Amid Record 75-Year Rainfall

ABU DHABI – Unprecedented rainfall in the United Arab Emirates caused widespread destruction, bringing daily life in the Middle Eastern nation to a halt.

This historical rainfall, the heaviest in 75 years since records began in 1949, caused significant disruption, particularly at Dubai International Airport (DXB), where operations struggled under the harsh conditions.

Read more: UAE Experiences Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms Across Cities

Airport authorities urged people to avoid coming to the airport unless absolutely necessary due to numerous flight delays and diversions. Passengers were advised to stay updated by contacting their airlines directly.

Efforts are underway by airport officials, emergency response teams, and service partners to resume normal operations as quickly as possible. The flooding has severely affected transportation options, leaving some travelers stranded, although they have been provided with refreshments and meals.

Major airlines such as Emirates have reported delays and cancellations, with services like check-in for departing flights suspended on April 17. Other carriers including Flydubai, Etihad, and FlyNas also faced major operational challenges.

The UAE Meteorological Office described this rainfall as a remarkable climatic event for the country, likely boosting the annual rainfall figures and enhancing the national groundwater reserves.

The weather instability, driven by a low surface pressure system, began affecting the UAE on Monday, with two subsequent bouts of severe weather conditions continuing through Tuesday. This significant rainfall is set to raise the UAE’s annual precipitation totals and strengthen its groundwater resources overall.