Two years’ worthof rain in 24 hours

• Published date: 18 April 2024
• Publication title: Whanganui Chronicle

It follows flooding that killed at least 18 in neighbouring Oman, with others still missing

The rains began overnight Tuesday, leaving massive ponds on streets as whipping winds disrupted flights at Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel and the home of the long-haul carrier Emirates.

The website for Dubai airport shows dozens of flights delayed or cancelled, with affected destinations including India, Pakistan, Saudi and the United Kingdom.

Videos posted on social media showed the tarmac drowning in water as planes try to navigate their way through what looked more like a marina.

Police and emergency personnel drove slowly through the flooded streets, their emergency lights flashing across the darkened morning.

Lightning flashed across the sky, occasionally touching the tip of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

Schools across the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms, largely shut ahead of the storm and government employees were largely working remotely if able.

Many workers stayed home as well, though some ventured out, with the unfortunate stalling out their vehicles in deeper-than-expected water covering some roads.

Authorities sent tanker trucks out into the streets and highways to pump away the water.

Water poured into some homes, forcing people to bail out their houses.

Rain is unusual in the UAE, an arid, Arabian Peninsula nation, but occurs periodically during the cooler winter months.

Many roads and other areas lack drainage given the lack of regular rainfall...