UAE hit by heavy rain sparking fears of more flooding

Emirati towns and cities experienced another night of heavy rain on Thursday evening, just as authorities were preparing to clean up flooded streets following another deluge earlier this week.

Storms hit the UAE on Thursday night, causing flash floods in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

Dubai residents recorded the Burj Khalifa being struck by lightning as a supercell storm hit the city, with a safety system diverting the energy to the ground.

Dubai police issued warnings to avoid flooded areas and for motorists to drive with caution on the emirate's flooded streets.

"Amid rainy, changing weather conditions, @DubaiPoliceHQ has intensified field efforts through specialized teams to ensure road safety and keep traffic moving smoothly," Dubai Police said in a post on X.

"These efforts are part of a coordinated response focused on rapid coordination and partnership, strengthening readiness, and encouraging road users to follow traffic rules and safety guidance."

Al Ain City Municipality said it was working with partners to keep communication channels open to ensure emergency responses.

Videos of Jamal Abdul Nasser Street in Sharjah show the road flooded after heavy rain, with residents told to stay indoors as response teams deal with the deluge.

The UAE's National Centre of Meteorology issued a weather warning on Wednesday, with much of the country - including Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah - covered by an orange alert.

The eastern UAE emirate of Fujairah was the "hardest hit" according to local media, while the nearby city of Shoukah in Ras Al-Khaimeh saw 77.5mm of rainfall. 

The Omani enclave of Musandam also experienced heavy rains, causing flooding in the governorate's capital, Khasab and warnings from authorities to avoid flooded areas.

The UAE witnessed devastating floods in April 2024, which caused huge disruptions to daily life, with flights cancelled or rerouted from Dubai International Airport.

At least five people died in the floods, which were considered one of the worst natural disasters the country has ever experienced.

Many Gulf cities struggle with heavy rain due to a lack of drainage and the surrounding topography, with climate change a concern for urban planners.

The Gulf was hit with heavy rain earlier this week, causing more floods in Oman and the UAE.