Storm Dumps Heaviest Rain Ever Recorded in UAE, Flooding Roads and Dubai Airport 

A taxi drives through a flooded street following heavy rains in Dubai early on April 17, 2024. (AFP)
A taxi drives through a flooded street following heavy rains in Dubai early on April 17, 2024. (AFP)
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Storm Dumps Heaviest Rain Ever Recorded in UAE, Flooding Roads and Dubai Airport 

A taxi drives through a flooded street following heavy rains in Dubai early on April 17, 2024. (AFP)
A taxi drives through a flooded street following heavy rains in Dubai early on April 17, 2024. (AFP)

Heavy thunderstorms lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, dumping the heaviest rain ever recorded in the country in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and Dubai's international airport.

The state-run WAM news agency called the rain “a historic weather event” that surpassed “anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949.” That's before the discovery of crude oil in this energy-rich nation then part of a British protectorate known as the Trucial States.

The rains began late Monday, soaking the sands and roadways of Dubai with some 20 millimeters (0.79 inches) of rain, according to meteorological data collected at Dubai International Airport. The storms intensified around 9 a.m. local Tuesday and continued throughout the day, dumping more rain and hail onto the overwhelmed city.

By the end of Tuesday, more than 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) of rain at Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel and a hub for the long-haul carrier Emirates.

At the airport, standing water lapped on taxiways as aircraft landed. The airport ended up halting arrivals Tuesday night and passengers struggled to reach terminals through the floodwater covering surrounding roads.

Dubai International Airport acknowledged Wednesday morning that the flooding had left “limited transportation options” and affected flights as aircraft crews couldn't reach the airfield.

“Recovery will take some time,” the airport said on the social platform X. “We thank you for your patience and understanding while we work through these challenges.”

Police and emergency personnel drove slowly through the flooded streets of Dubai. Lightning flashed Tuesday across the sky, occasionally touching the tip of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. The city's driverless Metro saw disruptions and flooded stations as well.

Schools across the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms, largely shut ahead of the storm and government employees were largely working remotely if able. Many workers stayed home as well, though some ventured out, with the unfortunate stalling out their vehicles in deeper-than-expected water covering some roads.

Authorities sent tanker trucks out into the streets and highways to pump away the water. Water poured into some homes, forcing people to bail out their houses.

In Ras al-Khaimah, the country's northernmost emirate, police said one 70-year-old man died when his vehicle was swept away by floodwater.

Fujairah, an emirate on the UAE's eastern coast, saw the heaviest rainfall Tuesday with 145 millimeters (5.7 inches) falling there.

Authorities cancelled school and the government instituted remote work again for Wednesday.

Rain is unusual in the UAE, an arid, Arabian Peninsula nation, but occurs periodically during the cooler winter months. Many roads and other areas lack drainage given the lack of regular rainfall, causing flooding.

Rain also fell in Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

In neighboring Oman at least 18 people had been killed in heavy rains in recent days, according to a statement Tuesday from the country's National Committee for Emergency Management. That includes some 10 schoolchildren swept away in a vehicle with an adult, which saw condolences come into the country from rulers across the region.



Saudi Arabia Dispatches 81st Flight in Ongoing Humanitarian Air Bridge to Gaza

The plane was loaded with essential food baskets and shelter kits. (SPA)
The plane was loaded with essential food baskets and shelter kits. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Dispatches 81st Flight in Ongoing Humanitarian Air Bridge to Gaza

The plane was loaded with essential food baskets and shelter kits. (SPA)
The plane was loaded with essential food baskets and shelter kits. (SPA)

Saudi dispatched on Saturday its 81st relief plane to the Gaza Strip.

Operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and coordinated with the Ministry of Defense and the Saudi Embassy in Cairo, the plane arrived in Egypt’s El-Arish carrying essential food baskets and shelter kits destined for Gaza.

This ongoing air bridge is a key component of the Kingdom's commitment to alleviating the severe living conditions of the Palestinian people and providing vital humanitarian support to Gaza.


Saudi Crown Prince Congratulates Japanese Prime Minister on Re-election

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Congratulates Japanese Prime Minister on Re-election

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent on Saturday a cable of congratulations to Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on her re-election.

The Crown Prince wished her success and the people of Japan further progress and prosperity.


Gulf Leaders Congratulate Saudi Leadership on Founding Day

 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Gulf Leaders Congratulate Saudi Leadership on Founding Day

 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Qatar and Bahrain congratulated on Saturday the Saudi leadership on Founding Day.

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani sent cables of congratulations to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the occasion.

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa sent King Salman and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, cables on the occasion.

In his cable to King Salman, King Hamad wish him continued health and happiness and the people of Saudi Arabia further progress and prosperity under his wise leadership.

He hailed Saudi Arabia for its achievements across various sectors, which have strengthened the nation's position regionally and internationally.

He expressed his profound pride in the deep-rooted relations binding the two countries and their peoples, noting the continuous growth of these ties across all levels.