A rare and powerful rainstorm swept across the United Arab Emirates on Friday, disrupting air travel and leaving major roads flooded as residents grappled with weather conditions more typical of tropical regions than a desert nation.

Airport operations were among the worst affected. Emirates Airlines cancelled at least 13 flights, while dozens of others were delayed at Dubai International Airport and Sharjah Airport. Airport authorities cited adverse weather conditions, with safety concerns prompting flight suspensions as heavy rain, lightning, and strong winds persisted through the night and into Friday morning.

In Sharjah, flooding brought parts of the city to a standstill. One of the city’s main streets was completely submerged, forcing residents to wade through ankle-to-knee-deep water. Videos shared online showed people removing their footwear to cross flooded roads, while one cyclist attempted to ride through water that reached the top of his wheels. Similar scenes played out in parts of Dubai, where large pools of water collected on roads and residential streets.

The storm triggered memories of April 2024, when record-breaking rainfall caused unprecedented flooding across the UAE. That earlier disaster led to the cancellation of more than 2,000 flights at Dubai’s international airport and paralysed daily life for several days. Although this week’s storm was less severe, the disruption was significant enough for authorities to issue strong warnings.

Ahead of the rainfall, Dubai Police urged residents to remain indoors unless travel was absolutely necessary. As the rain intensified, emergency response teams were deployed across the city. By early Friday, water-pumping trucks were seen working to clear blocked roads and drain flooded areas, especially in low-lying neighbourhoods and busy traffic routes.

According to the National Center of Meteorology, rainfall was expected across several parts of the country from Thursday through Friday, affecting Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and surrounding emirates. The weather system also extended beyond the UAE, with other Gulf states experiencing heavy rain. In Qatar, the downpour was severe enough to force the cancellation of the Arab Cup third-place football match between Saudi Arabia and the UAE on Thursday.

The UAE, known for its arid climate and extreme heat, rarely experiences such intense rainfall. However, scientists have increasingly linked these unusual weather patterns to climate change. A study by the World Weather Attribution group found that global warming caused by fossil fuel emissions most likely intensified the record rains that hit the UAE and Oman last year. Those floods claimed at least four lives and highlighted the growing vulnerability of infrastructure in the region.

As climate experts continue to warn of more frequent extreme weather events, the latest storm has once again raised concerns about preparedness in desert cities not traditionally designed to handle heavy rainfall. For now, authorities remain focused on restoring normal travel operations and clearing flooded roads, while residents are urged to stay alert as unstable weather conditions persist.