WATCH: Rare torrential rain in Dubai wreaks havoc and causes major disruption

Torrential rain has surprised Dubai residents, wreaking havoc on public infrastructure, businesses, shopping malls, the second-busiest airport of the world and has also caused the cancellation of the Middle East Energy 2024.

Reports state that over the course of 12 hours, 100 millimetres (mm) of rain came down, quantities usually seen over the course of an entire year.

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The unprecedented rain has caused the desert location to flood. Many apartments, found in high-rise buildings had their once lush views temporarily obscured by widespread cloud cover and relentless downpour. In some cases, houses were completely flooded while outdoor furniture was blown away into the streets. were obscured with the uncontrollable weather.

A video shared on X shows the mall of emriates flooded with water, damaging the building’s structure and destroying stock within its shops, including of the popular international variety store chain Flying Tiger.

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On the other hand, many flights were diverted and delayed. Footage shows airplanes trying to navigate the rain and flooding. Dubai International Airport advised the public to avoid the airport “unless absolutely necessary.”

Additionally, Middle East Energy Dubai, an energy exhibition connecting energy buyers and sellers from around the world, announced the cancellation of the entire exhibition and advised visitors, exhibitors and contractors to not make their way to the venue.

The highly anticipated expo, which was intended to gather energy ministers, decision makers, private industry and start-ups under one roof, was scheduled to take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event was expected to start on 16th April until 18th April.

Its aim was to provide networking, business development and education for power generation, energy management and consumption as well as transmission, distribution, renewables and digitalisation sectors.

The United Arab Emirates Government (UAE) announced that the area has witnessed the largest amount of rainfall during the past 75 years. Additionally, it stated that “Khatm al-Shakla” in Al Ain witnessed 254.8mm of rain in less than 24 hours.

Rain also hit Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia but was significant in the UAE. At least 18 people have been killed in Oman because of heavy rain, including 10 school children and an adult who were swept away in a vehicle. A 70-year-old man also died under similar circumstances in Ras al-Khaimah.

Because of the hot and dry climate, Dubai has limited infrastructure to handle extreme events, which further amplified the flooding.

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