Heavy rain lashed Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the early hours of Friday leading to flooding and sparking work-from-home arrangements in many parts of the country.
The capital witnessed a rainstorm overnight after an earlier deluge on Thursday in Dubai.
The downpour was not on the same scale as the April 2024 storm that caused mass flooding in Dubai, but still caused disruption in some areas as of Friday morning.
Many government staff are working from home, while in Dubai the private sector was urged to follow suit.
In the northern emirates, videos captured fast-moving floodwater and valleys, known as wadis, quickly flooded. Motorists are urged to avoid such areas.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said the work-from-home directive applies to staff whose roles permit it. It follows a decision in Dubai mandating that all government staff work remotely to avoid the adverse weather.
Public beaches, parks and popular attractions such as Global Village in Dubai were closed to ensure public safety.
Official government warnings sent to Dubai residents warned against going outside “unless absolutely necessary” until midday on Friday. Similar warnings in Abu Dhabi extended this deadline to 2pm.
Many UAE residents reported receiving alerts from insurance providers on ways to protect their cars from rain and flood-related damage. Tips suggested finding covered parking on higher ground less liable to flooding or hail damage.
The situation was similar across the region, with heavy rain also causing disruption in Doha. The UAE’s third-place playoff match against Saudi Arabia in the Fifa Arab Cup, due to be held in the Qatari capital on Thursday, was abandoned at half-time due to lightning near the ground.
Some foreign residents looking to travel home for Christmas were left rearranging their journey to Dubai International Airport to avoid being held up.
Daithi McDonald, 31, who was due to travel home to Ireland in the early hours of Friday morning, told The National: “To try and battle the inevitable flooded streets, I’m going to a nearby area six hours ahead of time.
“I’m based in Sports City, and let’s just say the rain falling on construction sand around me is not quite the winter wonderland scene I’m travelling for.”
Conditions are expected to ease later on Friday and into Saturday morning.
