• Fireworks illuminate the sky at Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, during New Year's 2022 celebrations in Dubai. EPA
    Fireworks illuminate the sky at Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, during New Year's 2022 celebrations in Dubai. EPA
  • Fireworks explode to celebrate the New Year. Reuters
    Fireworks explode to celebrate the New Year. Reuters
  • Fireworks fly into the air at Burj Khalifa. Reuters
    Fireworks fly into the air at Burj Khalifa. Reuters
  • The sky is illuminated to celebrate the New Year. Reuters
    The sky is illuminated to celebrate the New Year. Reuters
  • Fireworks explode to celebrate the New Year. Reuters
    Fireworks explode to celebrate the New Year. Reuters
  • People wait for the New Year's Eve fireworks show at Burj Khalifa in Dubai. AFP
    People wait for the New Year's Eve fireworks show at Burj Khalifa in Dubai. AFP
  • Robbie Williams performs at the New Year's Eve gala dinner at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Robbie Williams performs at the New Year's Eve gala dinner at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Performers at the New Year's Eve gala dinner at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Performers at the New Year's Eve gala dinner at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Performers at the New Year's Eve gala dinner at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Performers at the New Year's Eve gala dinner at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A band plays during New Year celebrations in front of the Australian pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP
    A band plays during New Year celebrations in front of the Australian pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP
  • Fireworks illuminate the skies near Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Photo: The Government of Dubai Media Office
    Fireworks illuminate the skies near Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Photo: The Government of Dubai Media Office
  • Burj Al Arab was the site of an eight-minute fireworks display. Photo: Burj Al Arab
    Burj Al Arab was the site of an eight-minute fireworks display. Photo: Burj Al Arab
  • Fireworks erupt in front of Ain Dubai. AFP
    Fireworks erupt in front of Ain Dubai. AFP
  • New Year’s fireworks at Ain Dubai. AFP
    New Year’s fireworks at Ain Dubai. AFP
  • Fireworks go off at midnight at the New Year's Eve gala dinner at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Fireworks go off at midnight at the New Year's Eve gala dinner at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Atlantis, The Palm, hosted a gala dinner to ring in the New Year, with front row seats to the fireworks. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm
    Atlantis, The Palm, hosted a gala dinner to ring in the New Year, with front row seats to the fireworks. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm
  • Fireworks begin at Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP
    Fireworks begin at Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP
  • Visitors enjoy a fireworks display at Expo 2020. AFP
    Visitors enjoy a fireworks display at Expo 2020. AFP

Burj Khalifa struck by lightning during New Year storm


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Dubai's Burj Khalifa was struck by lightning during a New Year storm, new video footage shows.

The spire can be seen lit up in the footage, which was shot in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, head of protocol for the Vice President and Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, shared the video on Instagram.

As with all modern skyscrapers, the spire is designed to be hit and to dissipate the charge.

Several days of heavy rain has led to isolated flooding in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates – and forecasters say the spate of wild weather is not yet over.

Weather charts show a bank of intense rain reaching the coast, stretching from Abu Dhabi to the northern tip of the country, at about 6am on Monday.

The rain will be heaviest in the area between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, up to and including Ras Al Khaimah.

There will be further heavy showers on Tuesday, particularly around Al Ain. Wednesday and Thursday are forecast to be not as cloudy, and with a lesser chance of rain.

Updated: January 03, 2022, 4:33 AM