Flights to and from Dubai and Sharjah were cancelled and delayed on Friday after the emirate was lashed by heavy rain, thunder and lightning for a second day.
Emirates airline announced that 13 of its flights due to depart from Dubai International Airport would be suspended on Friday due to the treacherous weather.
A number of other early morning flights from Dubai's main travel hub – operated by local and international carriers – have also been grounded or face delays.
“Adverse weather in the UAE and surrounding region on 18 and 19 December has impacted Emirates operations, with some flights being cancelled, delayed and retimed,” Emirates said in an update shared on its website on Thursday evening.
Darren Taft, 47, was at Phuket airport waiting for an Air Arabia flight to Sharjah after a short holiday.
"Our flight has been delayed. We're not sure of new time yet. The earlier Sharjah flight still hasn't arrived. And flight radar suggests ours is 50 minutes delayed," he said.
"Fingers crossed that is the case and the earlier flight doesn't get our plane. I just checked my doorbell camera back home in Town Square and it's pouring down!"
The wet weather struck Dubai on Thursday afternoon, before Abu Dhabi was hit by heavy rainfall later in the evening.
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Dubai Media Office said the emirate is expected to experience unstable weather until Friday. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Dubai Police called on people to avoid beaches, valleys and flood-prone areas. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Rain lashed Dubai and the northern emirates on Thursday, causing isolated flooding and some disruption on roads. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Aftermath of the heavy night time rains affect residents in the Al Quoz area of Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Abu Dhabi weather images. Victor Besa / The National -
Abu Dhabi weather images. Victor Besa / The National -
Abu Dhabi weather images. Victor Besa / The National -
Aftermath of the heavy night time rains along the Mall Of The Emirates turnoof on Sheik Zayed Road Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Wet weather AUH. A view of Downtown Abu Dhabi from Yas Island -
Aftermath of the heavy night time rains along the Mall Of The Emirates turnoof on Sheik Zayed Road Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Wet weather AUH. Yas Island -
Aftermath of the heavy night time rains along the Mall Of The Emirates turnoof on Sheik Zayed Road Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Vehicles drive on a flooded road during heavy rain in Dubai. AFP -
Pools formed along Jebel Ali Racecourse road in Dubai after a downpour. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Pedestrians navigate the water on Jebel Ali Racecourse road in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
Emirates cancellations
• EK977/978 Dubai/Tehran/Dubai
• EK823/824 Dubai/Dammam/Dubai
• EK945/946 Dubai/Basra/Dubai
• EK866/867 Dubai/Muscat/Dubai
• EK853/854 Dubai/Kuwait/Dubai
• EK835/836 Dubai/Bahrain/Dubai
• EK837/838 Dubai/Bahrain/Dubai
• EK705/796 Dubai/Seychelles/Dubai
• EK656/657 Dubai/Male/Dubai
• EK650/651 Dubai/Colombo/Dubai
• EK636/637 Dubai/Peshawar/Dubai
• EK043/44 Dubai/Frankfurt/Dubai
• EK322/323 Dubai/Incheon/Dubai
Flydubai said the unstable weather had led to "select flights being cancelled, delayed or diverted".
"The weather conditions are expected to continue throughout the day (Friday). Passengers are advised to allow sufficient time for their journey to the airport and to visit flydubai.com for the latest updates,' a flydubai spokesperson said.
"The safety of our passengers and crew is always our priority. We apologise for the inconvenience caused as a result of the adverse weather."
Bus services suspended
The RTA said Dubai bus services to and from Ajman and Sharjah would be suspended "until further notice" due to the challenging weather conditions.
Prices soar amid travel scramble
Dubai residents battling waterlogged roads to make flights reporting facing lengthy delays - and a significant spike in taxi fares.
One person on social media said she paid Dh500 to travel from The Greens neighbourhood of Dubai to Dubai International Airport, a 25km journey that would typically cost between Dh100 and Dh150.
Another traveller advised others to use the Metro if possible, while warning of taxi charges of Dh400.
Workers urged to stay at home
Private sector businesses in areas of the UAE most affected by heavy rain have been urged to implement a remote work policy on Friday.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said this directive applies to staff whose roles permit it, aiming to preserve employee health and safety. It follows a decision in Dubai mandating that all government staff work remotely to avoid the adverse weather.
Authorities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai urged the public to be vigilant over heavy rain, high winds and thunder and lightning.
Severe downpours have caused flooding on the roads and in communities across the country, leading to lengthy delays on the roads for commuters.
Public beaches, parks and popular attractions such as Global Village in Dubai were closed to ensure public safety.
The Northern Emirates have also been affected by the adverse weather, while heavy rain has been reported across the region.
Residents in Dubai were awoken by cracks of thunder and lightning as heavy rain drenched streets and roads in the early hours of the morning.
A major weather response operation has been launched by authorities in Dubai to help mitigate the impact of the storms.
The emirate's Roads and Transport Authority has deployed more than 300 fixed and mobile pumps in flood-hit areas to help drain water from roads and ease traffic congestion.
Weather warning in place
The National Centre of Meteorology has issued an orange alert – warning people to be on alert over hazardous weather – for Dubai, Fujairah, the Sharjah enclave of Khor Fakkan and parts of Abu Dhabi.
The notice, as well as a less severe yellow alert asking people to take care when outside, will be in place until 10.30am on Friday.
The extreme weather which has swept across the country since Thursday is expected to ease as the day progresses, giving way to a relatively dry Saturday.
