Watch the lightning and Dubai airport’s tarmac is flooded after heavy thunderstorms and rain showers batter parts of the UAE.
Torrential downpours and flash floods have ravaged parts of the Gulf region, resulting in the loss of at least 18 lives in Oman and wreaking havoc in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In Oman, the tragic toll, announced on Tuesday, includes the lives of nine schoolchildren and their driver, who were swept away by floodwaters in Samad A’Shan on Sunday. The National Committee for Emergency Management disclosed that rescue teams continue to search for two missing individuals.
As a precautionary measure, the government granted administrative leave to public and private sector employees across several provinces, while remote work was advised in other regions of the sultanate. Residents were urged to seek refuge in shelters if they perceived any danger or received directives from authorities.
To address the crisis in the worst-affected province of Ash Sharqiyah North, law enforcement and military personnel were dispatched to facilitate the evacuation of citizens from inundated areas, according to state media reports.
Simultaneously, heavy rainfall pummeled the neighboring UAE on Tuesday, submerging sections of major highways and leaving vehicles stranded on roads throughout Dubai.
The deluge commenced overnight, resulting in extensive flooding on streets, while gusty winds disrupted flight operations at Dubai International Airport. Prior to the storm’s onset, schools across the country had largely suspended operations, and government employees were advised to work remotely where feasible. Despite the adverse conditions, some individuals ventured out, only to find themselves stranded as their vehicles succumbed to unexpectedly deep floodwaters.
Authorities swiftly deployed tanker trucks to pump water from inundated streets and highways, as initial assessments indicated rainfall exceeding 30mm (1.2 inches) in Dubai during the morning, with projections of up to 128mm (5 inches) throughout the day.
