UAE witnesses heaviest rain reported in 75 years, flights suspended

DUBAI: Life in the UAE has been disrupted by the heaviest rains and floods in the last 75 years. Hundreds of people were trapped in airports, malls, metro stations and vehicles. The power went out. There was also a shortage of drinking water available in several places. Residential complexes and institutions were flooded.

Flight services were suspended. Flights coming to Dubai were diverted to other destinations. A large number of vehicles were submerged in water. Water also entered Dubai Mall and the Mall of Emirates. Malayalis are also taking part in the rescue operation. Traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai's main highway, came to a standstill for hours. The rains that started on Monday intensified in Dubai and Sharjah by Tuesday. The rain started to lose strength yesterday.

Oman has been witnessing heavy downpours since Saturday. Eighteen people died there. One death was reported in UAE due to the heavy rain. A 70-year-old man died after his car was washed away in Ras Al Khaimah.

The Khatam Al Shakla region of Al Ain received more rain. 254 mm of rain was recorded here. Classes will continue online in schools and universities in Dubai today and tomorrow. Classes will continue online today in Sharjah as well. Employees of various companies have been allowed to work from home till today.

UAE denies rumour of cloud seeding
Meteorological Center has dismissed claims that the heavy rains were caused by attempts at artificial rain (cloud seeding). The UAE has been doing cloud seeding since the 1990s. Officials pointed out that they do not do so in bad weather. According to the UAE Meteorological Center, a storm system moving from the Arabian Sea to Oman and the UAE is the reason for the heavy rain.

Flights cancelled
Four flights from Thiruvananthapuram Airport to UAE have been cancelled due to heavy rains. Emirates and Air India flights to Dubai and Indigo and Air Arabia flights to Sharjah have been cancelled due to heavy rains in the UAE.

Five flights from Nedumbassery were earlier cancelled due to rains in UAE. Three flights to Dubai and one flight each to Sharjah and Doha were cancelled. FEZ 454 of FlyDubai, 6E1475 of IndiGo and EK533 of Emirates to Dubai were cancelled.

In the wake of the rain alert, the passengers were informed earlier. Air Arabia flight G9423 to Sharjah and IndiGo flight 6E1343 to Doha have been cancelled. A final decision on the rescheduling will be taken based on the rain situation in the UAE.