Heavy rain has pummelled some Gulf states, causing flash flooding and forcing aircraft to the world's busiest international airport to divert flights.
On Tuesday morning, the UAE's National Centre of Meteorology issued a weather warning for much of the country, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. The Gulf region is well-known for its hot and dry weather, but large rains and flooding have become more common in recent years.
In nearby Oman, authorities reported that the dead toll from flash floods had risen to 18, with some still missing. The victims included ten pupils aged 10 to 15, who were killed on April 14 when their car was washed away while attempting to get through a flooded area.
Several states recorded over a year's worth of rain in one day. Dubai Airport stated that operations were "temporarily diverted" but have subsequently resumed.
Inbound planes scheduled to arrive on Tuesday evening had been diverted "due to the continued exceptional weather event currently being experienced in the UAE", read a statement from the airport. Departures would continue to operate, it said. Flights resumed after a two-hour suspension.
Experts and forecasters have linked the extreme weather to climate change, predicting that exceptional storms will become more prevalent as the earth warms.
For every 1C increase in average temperature, the atmosphere can contain around 7% extra moisture. This can produce more droplets and greater rainfall, sometimes in a shorter period of time and across a smaller region.
The UAE, one of the world's largest oil producers, hosted last year's COP28 climate change meeting.
Video credit:
@ImRahulAggarwal | @ThisahmedR | @IagoAlladin
United Arab Emirates: Flights delayed after flash floods batters parts of the country
