Torrential rain accompanied by thunderstorms on Friday disrupted daily life across Dubai and other parts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), forcing authorities to enforce remote work and suspend transport and leisure activities.
The UAE government announced a work-from-home policy for all government offices due to severe weather, allowing only essential staff to report on duty.
The private sector has also been advised to adopt remote work arrangements in affected areas.
Flight operations have been badly hit. Several inbound and outbound flights at Dubai International Airport were cancelled, while many others faced delays amid heavy rain and low visibility.
Emirates and flydubai confirmed the cancellation and rescheduling of multiple flights because of the unstable weather.
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued severe weather warnings for Dubai and Abu Dhabi, forecasting heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong winds, hail and poor visibility. The weather system is linked to a deep low-pressure area that could trigger flash floods until Friday, December 19.
As a precaution, major tourist attractions including Global Village and Ain Dubai were temporarily closed. Skydive Dubai also suspended all activities until further notice.
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) suspended intercity bus services between Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman due to flooded roads. Residents were urged to avoid non-essential travel and follow official advisories.
Following continuous NCM alerts, the RTA activated emergency measures, deploying round-the-clock monitoring teams and rapid response units. A flood management room has been mobilised to ensure water drainage and maintain traffic flow.
Dubai Police advised motorists and pedestrians to exercise caution, citing reduced visibility caused by heavy rain, strong winds and lightning. Authorities said the situation is being closely monitored and services will be restored once conditions improve.
According to Gulf News, thunderstorms continue across the UAE, with residents advised to stay indoors, avoid flood-prone areas and limit travel. Abu Dhabi has suspended community events as a precaution.
In a tragic incident, a 27-year-old Indian expatriate, Salman Fariz, died in Ras Al Khaimah after a wall collapsed during heavy rainfall, the newspaper reported.
Meanwhile, the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority urged residents and visitors to remain vigilant as heavy rain continues to affect the emirate. Officials warned that rough seas, dust and strong winds could persist nationwide in the coming days.
