Abu Dhabi and Dubai were hit by heavy rain, thunder and lightning on Thursday.
Residents were woken up by rumbles of thunder as cracks of lightning lit up the skies from about 1.30am.
The weather had calmed significantly by about 5am, before another bout of intense rain began shortly before 8am.
Further rain was recorded in the Northern Emirates in the morning.
The National Centre of Meteorology issued an orange alert – warning of hazardous weather events – for large parts of the country until 8pm on Thursday.
The centre had earlier advised that the unstable weather would be less severe than the storms which battered the Emirates on April 16.
Trees upended
But the persistent rain caused flooding on roads in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with trees upended by high winds, and flights and public transport services disrupted.
Dubai International Airport said 13 flights were cancelled and five diverted before normal service resumed later on Thursday evening.
Passengers were advised to use the Dubai Metro to reach the airport because of traffic jams.
“If you're flying from Dubai International Airport today, please allow extra time to get to the airport as there's some congestion on the roads,” Dubai Airports wrote on X.
“Use the Dubai Metro to get to Terminals 1 and 3, where possible.”
Emirates Airline said on Thursday that six flights – between Dubai and Istanbul, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Cairo, Amman and Singapore – had been cancelled due to the bad weather.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience. Affected customers will be reaccommodated,” Emirates said in a travel update on its website.
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority said intercity bus services had been temporarily suspended.
The authority said a number of ferry routes were also suspended on Thursday.
These included services to and from the Dubai Water Canal to Al Ghubaiba, Dubai Water Canal to Bluewaters and Al Ghubaiba to Sharjah Aquarium.
Dubai Municipality announced beaches, public parks and open markets would be closed on Thursday.
Police in Abu Dhabi and Dubai urged motorists to exercise caution if they had to drive.
Abu Dhabi Police reduced speed limits to 100kph on some routes – including sections of the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road – during the morning commute as a safety precaution.
The force said normal speed limits had been restored on external roads, in a social media message posted shortly before 1pm.
Safety alert after landslide
Ras Al Khaimah Police urged drivers to take care on Emirates Road, towards the Al Shuhada Road exit, following a landslide.
The police said they were closely monitoring the situation and advised motorists to stay alert and follow traffic guidance to ensure their safety and those of others.
Maj Gen Saif Al Zari Al Shamsi, commander-in-chief of Sharjah Police, said in a local radio interview on Thursday afternoon that traffic was flowing smoothly in the emirate and no road closures were in place.
He said authorities were working to prevent further flooding in the emirate.
Ready for the rain
Last month the country experienced record rainfall that flooded roads and homes and caused widespread disruption to public transport and airport travel.
The recent hazardous weather prompted authorities to ensure plans were in place to deal with the stormy conditions.
The clean-up operation is well under way on main roads and communities in Dubai, including the deployment of tankers to drain floodwater from streets.
Dubai Police had sent out a mobile phone alert on Wednesday evening, urging the public to be vigilant and stay safe.
The notice advised people to “avoid beaches, refrain from sailing, stay clear of valleys and areas prone to flash floods”.
The UAE had already called for remote work and distance learning to be implemented on Thursday and Friday as the country prepared for heavy rain and thunder.
The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority on Wednesday issued the guidance for all schools and universities and the public and private sector.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation advised private sector companies to apply flexible and remote work patterns on Thursday.
Distance learning had already been announced for all private schools in Dubai and Sharjah on Thursday and Friday.
Officials announced that all government schools in the UAE would similarly introduce remote learning on both days.
However, key exams at some schools were still going ahead in-person, The National learnt.
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 2 (Heaton (og) 42', Lindelof 64')
Aston Villa 2 (Grealish 11', Mings 66')
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
Fight card
1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)
4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)
5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)
6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)
9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)
10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)
11. Bantamweight World title: Jaures Dea (CAM) v Xavier Alaoui (MAR)
12. Flyweight World title: Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
The biog
Name: Salvador Toriano Jr
Age: 59
From: Laguna, The Philippines
Favourite dish: Seabass or Fish and Chips
Hobbies: When he’s not in the restaurant, he still likes to cook, along with walking and meeting up with friends.
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Janet Yellen's Firsts
- In 2014, she became the first woman to lead the US Federal Reserve
- In 1999, she became the first female chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers
SUZUME
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