The desert country of the United Arab Emirates experienced the greatest rainfall it has ever recorded this week, flooding roads and leading to warnings for travelers to stay away.
More than 5.59 inches of rain fell in 24 hours at Dubai International Airport, the Associated Press reported. It normally averages 3.73 inches a year.
The airport experienced flooding due to the amount of rain that fell.
"We advise you NOT to come to the airport, unless absolutely necessary. Flights continue to be delayed and diverted. Please check your flight status directly with your airline," the airline said in a post on X.
⚠️We advise you NOT to come to the airport, unless absolutely necessary.
— DXB (@DXB) April 17, 2024
Flights continue to be delayed and diverted. Please check your flight status directly with your airline.
We are working hard to recover operations as quickly as possible in very challenging conditions.
Video showed planes moving in waters covering airport taxiways.
Current situation of Dubai Airport pic.twitter.com/rh8wCxEKkj
— Dr Honey choudhary (DOCTORS SQUAD ) (@Doctors__squad) April 17, 2024
The National Centre of Meteorology in the UAE confirmed that the record rainfall that fell on the country.
"A historic weather event," is what the state news agency WAM declared in coverage. It put a positive spin on the rains saying it "contributes to increasing the annual rainfall average in the UAE, as well as strengthening the country's groundwater reserves in general."
The UAE conducts cloud seeding to increase rainfall in the water-starved desert country. It was not confirmed if cloud seeding was to blame for the record rains.
Rain fell across the Arabian Peninsula. 19 people died in flooding rains in Oman.
