Heavy rains hit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday, causing major disruptions in Dubai. Flights were canceled, and many people faced issues with transportation as bus services were suspended in Dubai. The weather department issued an orange alert for Friday, signaling a continued threat from the weather.
Educational institutions were asked to move to online classes to keep students safe, while companies were encouraged to allow employees to work from home. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) stated that all private schools, nurseries, and universities should switch to online learning. Dubai also set a work-from-home policy for government employees on May 2 and May 3 and closed all parks and beaches for safety reasons.
As per the recent news update due to the weather conditions in Dubai, many flights have been cancelled. Dubai Airlines has issued an advisory related to travel in rainy weather conditions. The MeT department of the Dubai government announced an orange alert on Friday 3rd May 2024. Due to unexpected continuous rain incidents and flooding in the month of April and now May the department has announced the Orange alert.Â
As per the UAE weather forecast, there are chances of light to moderate rain in many regions of the city along with chances of heavy rainfall in some southern and eastern areas. According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), a gradual increase in the temperature from Saturday is going to happen.Â
Dubai Airport advise people to plan routes and check flight status in advanceÂ
Dubai Airport heavy shoot travel advisory for people who are department from Dubai International Airport and AI Maktoum International Airport to check flight status and timings with their airlines and reach early. Also, they advised planning the routes in advance to prevent traffic jam delays. Because of the continuous rainfall, the traffic has been disrupted with many areas facing traffic jams.Â
Flights cancelled and delayed
Many flights going in and out of Dubai have been cancelled or delayed due to the heavy continuous rainfall. Many airlines such as Flydubai and Emirates issued advisories yesterday telling their passengers about delays and other precautions. An airline named Air Arabia based in Sharjah announced an advisory related to making some extra time for travel due to possible delays amid harsh weather conditions. This advisory was issued for passengers who are travelling from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Ras AL Khaimah. Many flights are rescheduled due to incessant rains, Indigo Airlines in an announcement. Also, Vistara and Spicejet informed that arrival and departure timings and flight operations are delayed due to unpredictable weather conditions.Â
Educational Institutions Are Closed | Government and Private Sector Employees Are Working From Home
Amid the heavy rainfall and unpredictable weather conditions, the Government of UAE ordered the closure of all educational institutions. However, institutions can conduct online classes and distance learning programs. People are working from home for many Government and private organizations.Â
UAE Weather Update: Heavy Rains Disrupt Flights and Daily Life
Due to the unfavorable weather conditions, several airlines, including IndiGo, Vistara, and SpiceJet, experienced disruptions in their flight operations. IndiGo shared an advisory on social media, saying their flight services were affected in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi. The airline recommended passengers check their flight status and allow extra time for airport travel due to potential road blockages.
On Wednesday, both Dubai Airports and local airlines had advised passengers to prepare for delays when traveling to Dubai International Airport. According to Khaleej Times, five flights into Dubai were diverted, while nine arrivals and four departures were canceled on Thursday night.
Abu Dhabi also experienced problems with waterlogging on several streets, and strong winds hit areas like Jebel Ali, Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai Industrial City, Dubai Investments Park, and Jumeirah Village Triangle.
The UAE had seen similar heavy rains in April, which brought the heaviest downpour in 24 hours in Dubai in over a year. This rainfall led to flooded roads and flight delays at Dubai International Airport. On April 15 and 16, thunderstorms caused extensive rainfall, which made roads difficult to navigate and disrupted flights.
Residents are advised to stay informed of the weather situation and follow local authorities’ instructions to remain safe during this time of heavy rainfall. Flooding and storm conditions can impact travel plans, daily routines, and safety, so people should take precautions and monitor the news for updates.