Video : Heavy Rainfall & Floods in Dubai UAE 2016

UAE Battered and Disrupted by Thunderstorms

ABU DHABI // The UAE was battered by fierce winds, torrential rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday morning.

Heavy Rainfall & Floods in Dubai UAE 2016

Over 240 millimetres of rainfall was recorded in an area between Dubai and Al Ain.

The skies darkened as the storm hit Abu Dhabi at about 11.30am, blowing down trees and lampposts and causing severe flooding.

Dramatic videos of the storm and its aftermath quickly spread on social media, showing cars submerged in water, debris flying through the air and damage to buildings.

Winds of up to 126km per hour battered the capital, according to recordings taken by the National Centre of Seismology and Meterorology at Al Bateen Airport.

Over 240 millimetres of rainfall was recorded in an area between Dubai and Al Ain.

Just after midday, Abu Dhabi International Airport tweeted that “due to severe weather conditions, flights at Abu Dhabi International Airport are suspended until further notice".

A video was also posted online of water pouring through the ceiling in one of the gates.

She said most of the floods were on Sheikh Zayed Road in the direction of Abu Dhabi and at Jebel Ali. “We are asking people to use alternative routes to avoid any delays on the road," she said.
Ms Al Marri added that the RTA is asking people to drive safely by slowing down and avoid flooded areas.
Schools across the country were also closed, with the Ministry of Education announcing they would also be shut on Thursday.
For the GEMS American Academy in Khalifa A it proved to be a wise decision as the storm blew off a large part of the building’s facade.

No injuries occurred from the incident, and the school was in the process of assessing the damage and organising repairs, a spokesman said.

Many schools also closed for the day in Dubai. The Dubai English Speaking School posted on Twitter that it and the Dubai English Speaking College (DESC) would be closing early on Wednesday..
“Urgent Notice: The weather is not improving and the roads are getting worse. Safety of students and staff is our prime concern," said the statement.