Page 26 - bne IntelliNews monthly magazine May 2024

26 I Companies & Markets bne May 2024
Dubai still under inches of water as lack of drainage drowns city. / bne IntelliNews
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Dubai airport, city and roads underwater from historic floods
Deema Kanaani in Dubai
Dubai witnessed "a state of chaos" on April 17, with continued road closures and travellers urged not to come to the airport, a day after a storm accompanied by rains flooded large portions of the city.
Heavy rain has been battering Persian Gulf states, causing flash floods that have killed 20 people and disrupted flights at several of the busiest airports in the region. Flooding has been reported in several countries and emirates, including Oman, Iran, Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Al Ain in the east of the Emirates saw 254 mm (10 inches) falling in less than 24 hours.
The operator of Dubai Airports urged travellers not to head to one of the world's busiest airports in terms of international passenger numbers except in cases of extreme necessity. Meanwhile, regional countries have cancelled their flights
to Dubai International Airport.
UAE state news agency WAM quoted Emirates Airlines announcing the company's "suspension of travel procedures
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for departing passengers from Dubai as of 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, until midnight on April 18, due to operational challenges arising from the adverse weather and road conditions."
However, the company "clarified that it continues to process procedures for arriving passengers to Dubai and transit passengers," according to the UAE news agency.
Heaviest rains ever
The United Arab Emirates witnessed the heaviest rains ever, flooding parts of major highways and Dubai International Airport. Local meteorologists described the rains as a "historic weather event" surpassing "anything documented since data collection began in 1949."
Rainfall began late April 15. Storms intensified around 9:00 a.m. on April 16 and continued throughout the day, leading to more rain and hail in Dubai.