Dubai, United Arab Emirates — The United Arab Emirates grappled on Thursday with the aftermath of the most intense rainfall ever recorded in the desert nation, as its primary airport worked to resume normal operations despite ongoing flooding on major highways and roads.
Global carriers were permitted to land at Terminal 1 of Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest hub for international travel, on Thursday morning. Subsequently, the airport announced via social media that Terminal 3 was also reopening for flight check-in, cautioning passengers to only arrive if their departure was confirmed due to the "high volume of guests in the check-in area."
"Due to ongoing flight delays and disruptions, we advise passengers to proceed to Terminal 1 only if they have a confirmed booking," the airport advised in a series of tweets.
Emirates Lifts Travel Ban Amidst UAE Storm Chaos
Amidst the chaos caused by the recent storm in the United Arab Emirates, long-haul carrier Emirates has lifted its ban on travelers checking into their flights. The storm had severely impacted operations, making it difficult for pilots and flight crews to reach the airport due to flooded roadways. However, the ban was lifted on Thursday, allowing customers to enter the airport.
Reports from passengers described hours-long waits to retrieve baggage, with some passengers opting to head home or find accommodation in nearby hotels.
The UAE, known for its arid desert climate, experienced an unprecedented amount of rainfall during the storm. Dubai, in particular, received over 5.59 inches of rain within 24 hours, far exceeding the average annual rainfall of 3.73 inches at Dubai International Airport. The country's drainage systems were overwhelmed, leading to widespread flooding in various areas.
The state-run WAM news agency described the rainfall as a "historic weather event," surpassing any recorded data since 1949. In a national address, Emirati leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan pledged to assess the infrastructure damage and take swift actions to mitigate the impact of the storm.
On Thursday, individuals navigated through oil-slicked floodwater to access cars previously left behind, checking to see if their engines still functioned. Tanker trucks equipped with vacuums began reaching certain areas outside of Dubai's downtown core for the first time. Schools will remain closed until next week.
Authorities have not provided an overall assessment of the damage or injuries from the floods, which claimed the life of at least one individual.
"Crises reveal the strength of countries and societies," Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, expressed on X. "The natural climate crisis that we experienced showed the great care, awareness, cohesion, and love for every corner of the country from all its citizens and residents."
The flooding led to speculation that the UAE's proactive cloud seeding initiative — utilizing small aircraft to disperse chemicals into clouds with the goal of inducing rainfall — may have played a role in the heavy rainfall. However, experts clarified that the storm systems responsible for the rain were predicted well in advance and that cloud seeding alone could not have caused such extensive flooding.
Meteorologist Jeff Masters from Yale Climate Connections explained that the flooding in Dubai was a result of an abnormally potent low-pressure system that triggered numerous rounds of intense thunderstorms.
Climatologists have long warned that human-induced climate change is amplifying the occurrence of more severe and unpredictable weather events worldwide.
Reports from southern Russia and Central Asia indicate that the region has been grappling with unprecedented levels of rainfall and snowmelt, leading to the evacuation of tens of thousands of people to higher ground. Tragically, the extreme weather conditions have resulted in the loss of over 120 lives in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Notably, Dubai played host to the United Nations' COP28 climate talks just last year.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Abu Dhabi's state-affiliated newspaper, The National, emphasized in an editorial on Thursday the importance for countries in the broader Persian Gulf region to prepare for the impacts of climate change and "climate-proof their futures."
"The magnitude of this challenge is greater than it may initially seem, as it requires transforming the urban landscape of a region that has historically been characterized by heat and desert conditions," the newspaper remarked.
