Dubai Airport flooded as heavy UAE rain sparks travel disruption

Arriving flights temporarily diverted until conditions improve

A screengrab from a video posted on X showing floods at Dubai airport. Photo: X / screengrab

UAE weather live: Emirates hit by severe storms

Video footage circulating on social media shows Dubai International Airport flooded after heavy rain and thunderstorms struck the UAE.

Footage filmed at the scene shows planes surrounded by water as they struggle to navigate the disruptive weather.

Operations were temporarily suspended for 25 minutes to deal with the disruption, the airport confirmed.

A statement posted on X on Tuesday described “major flooding on roads leading to the airport and forecasts indicate that the unsettled weather will continue until tomorrow morning”.

The DXB account later added on X: “We are temporarily diverting arriving flights this evening until the weather conditions improve. Departures will continue to operate.

“Together with our partners, we’re working to restore normal operations and minimise inconvenience to you.”

Passengers were advised to check their flight status, allow significant extra travel time and use the Dubai Metro for smoother transit.

Earlier on Tuesday, Dubai Airports said 17 flights had been cancelled due to the bad weather.

It came as UAE authorities urged the public to remain indoors amid severe storms sweeping the Emirates.

A National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority safety alert said people should leave their homes only in “extreme necessity”.

Weather warnings remain in place after large parts of the UAE were lashed by torrential rain and thunderstorms in the early hours of Tuesday.

And the Government of Dubai has extended remote working for employees until Wednesday, while private schools in the emirate have also been directed to continue remote learning. Private sector entities, too, have been urged to adopt remote working for an additional day to ensure safety.

Heavy rain hits Dubai and Abu Dhabi – in pictures

Workers cut down a tree that was uprooted by the storm in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A vehicle submerged on a waterlogged road in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A fence is blown over during the storm in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Vehicles splash through the Dubai – Abu Dhabi motorway during the heavy rain in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

A vehicle drives through a flooded road on a wet day in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Two men navigate Dubai's flooded roads on a raft made from gas cylinders. Antonie Robertson / The National

Trying to keep flooding out of a business in Al Quoz, Dubai. According to some measurements, 158mm of rain fell in 24 hours. Antonie Robertson / The National

One pedestrian is still smiling despite the flooding, in Al Quoz, Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Waves form in Dubai floodwaters. Nic Ridley/ The National

Dark clouds over Aldar headquarters in Al Raha, Abu Dhabi. Evelyn Lau / The National

Wrapped up for the elements in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

More storms are forecast for Dubai, with dark skies overhead. Nic Ridley/ The National

A young boy goes for a walk on a rainy day in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Heavy rain fell for several hours in Dubai on Tuesday morning, in what forecasters said was the first wave of stormy weather. Antonie Robertson / The National

Lightning strikes in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Roy Cooper/ The National

There were large puddles in Dubai after heavy rain overnight. Antonie Robertson/The National

A cyclist travels amid clean-up efforts in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

A motorist's car is stranded on a flooded Dubai road, following torrential rain. Antonie Robertson / The National

Clean-up efforts are under way in Dubai after heavy rain. Antonie Robertson/The National

Dark clouds linger over Dubai with more adverse weather forecast. Antonie Robertson/The National

Dark skies over Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. Zoya Thomas/ The National

Forecasters warned of 'hazardous weather events' until Wednesday evening. Antonie Robertson/The National

Workers clear standing water in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

Drivers faced a difficult commute after heavy rain in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

Clean-up efforts began in Dubai after heavy rain. Antonie Robertson/The National