Deadly Flash Floods Halt Operations At Dubai Airport



Heavy rain has pounded some Gulf states, causing flash flooding and forcing aircraft to the world's busiest international airport to be diverted.


Dubai Airport claimed operations were "temporarily diverted" but eventually resumed.


Authorities in Oman said that floods have killed at least 18 people. Several states recorded over a year's worth of rain in one day.


Unverified video from Dubai International Airport appeared to show jets producing waves in their wake as they flew down wet runways.


In a statement, the airport said inbound flights due to arrive on Tuesday evening had been diverted "due to the continued exceptional weather event currently being experienced in the UAE".


Departures would continue to operate, it added. Flights later restarted after an interruption of about two hours.


On Tuesday morning, the UAE's National Centre of Meteorology issued a weather warning for large swathes of the country, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.


The Gulf region is usually known for hot and dry weather, though heavy rains causing flooding have also occurred with greater regularity in recent years.


In neighbouring Oman, authorities said the death toll from flash floods had increased to 18, with some still missing. 


The dead included 10 students aged between 10 and 15 who were killed on 14 April when the vehicle they were travelling in attempted to cross a flooded area but was swept away.

Previous Post Next Post