Heavy thunderstorms lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, dumping the heaviest rain ever recorded in the country in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and Dubai’s international airport.
The rains overwhelmed United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries, killing at least 18 people in Oman and bringing air travel to a standstill in Dubai, were expected to continue into Wednesday.
For the United Arab Emirates, it was the largest rainfall event in 75 years, the country’s National Center of Meteorology and the government announced on social media.
Flights heading to Dubai International Airport were being diverted on Tuesday, the airport said, and it suspended operations for at least 25 minutes earlier in the day because of the intense storm.
The airport said there was “major flooding” on roads leading to the airport and urged people to check their flight status and to “allow significant extra travel time to the airport and use the Dubai Metro for smoother transit.”
Videos on social media showed planes at Dubai International Airport taxiing through deep water.
Major highways were flooded as vehicles drive through heavy rain and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai.
In Oman, which borders the U.A.E. to the east, a separate rain event killed at least 18 people, including 10 schoolchildren swept away in a vehicle with an adult.
Officials warned that heavy thunderstorms with strong winds and hail were expected overnight into Wednesday.
