Several flights to Dubai faced cancellations and diversions on Thursday due to heavy rainfall in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking the second instance of such weather in a month.
According to an airport authority spokesperson, overnight, five inbound flights were diverted, while nine incoming and four outgoing flights were cancelled.
In April, the UAE experienced unprecedented heavy rains within a short period, causing flooding on major highways and at Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest hubs for international travel. Authorities had to deploy 22 tankers with vacuum pumps to remove water from the airport premises.
As heavy rains loomed again on Thursday, authorities advised residents to stay home, opt for remote work, and announced online classes for schools. While the rainfall on Thursday did not lead to significant issues or flooding, authorities remained cautious, issuing warnings and taking necessary precautions.
Two weeks prior, flooding overwhelmed drainage systems in the UAE, affecting neighborhoods, business areas, and sections of the Sheikh Zayed Highway connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The flooding resulted in property damage for residents and destruction of vehicles.