A second wave of thunderstorms brought more torrential rain to the UAE on this afternoon, causing flooding and power cuts in Dubai.
Operations at Dubai International Airport were temporarily suspended for 25 minutes on Tuesday, as intense storms took hold in the emirate. They have since restarted.
It comes as heavy rain and flash floods sweep across the Gulf, particularly in Oman. On average Dubai sees just 3.4 inches of rain a year.
A total of 21 outbound and 24 inbound flights have been cancelled since 12.02 am this morning, and three flights were diverted to other neighbouring airports, a DXB spokesperson told Gulf News.
Flooding hit Dubai over the last few hoursReutersFlooding and heavy rain have caused chaos in the city
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The government confirmed remote learning will remain in place on Wednesday for private schools as well as government employees in Dubai due to the stormy weather conditions.
Services on the Dubai Metro Red Line are disrupted between UAE exchange to Dubai Internet City stations.
Road diversions have been introduced to ease traffic between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
A spokesperson from the transit authority said: “For users of Sheikh Zayed Road, traffic has been diverted for those coming from Abu Dhabi towards Dubai.”
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Cars drive through a flooded street during a rain storm in Dubai
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Flooding in central Dubai
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The UAE Football Association has confirmed that all matches in “local competitions” scheduled for Tuesday have been called off because of the storms lashing much of the UAE.
That includes the scheduled Adnoc Pro League fixtures between Al Jazira and Khorfakkan, and Ajman and Al Bataeh.
As it stands, Tuesday’s Asian Champions League semi-final first leg between Al Ain and Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, remains on.
Meanwhile, at least 14 people died, including nine children, in flash flooding in Oman on Sunday, with emergency teams rescuing two stranded people alive amid heavy downpours. Heavy rain has caused flooding on roads in Bahrain’s capital Manama, while Kuwait is braced for potential storms today.
Cars are parked at a flooded street during a rain storm in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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A general view of a flooded street during a rain storm in Dubai
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An orange weather alert is in place in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah until 6pm.
Adverse conditions are expected to continue into Wednesday morning, with convective clouds that bring rainfall and lightning forming over coastal areas – particularly in the north and east of the country.
These are forecast to disperse by noon on Wednesday.
Flooding hit Dubai over the last few hoursReuters
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