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An almost deserted beach in Abu Dhabi during the wet weather. Victor Besa / The National
A rainbow at Expo 2020 Dubai on a cloudy, rainy day for much of the country from Abu Dhabi city to the Northern Emirates on Sunday, January 16. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A worker shelters beneath an umbrella in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Downtown Dubai awoke to rain. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Showers in Jumeirah, Dubai, made a day at the beach unappetising. Ruel Pableo for The National
Cyclists brave the weather in Deira. Ruel Pableo for The National
A car park in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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Showers in Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning. Victor Besa / The National
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Police urged drivers to take care on the roads as rain fell across the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
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Temperatures were expected to reach a maximum of 26°C in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
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Rain on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
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Showers fell on various parts of Abu Dhabi before sunrise. Victor Besa / The National
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People make their way to work during the rain on Sunday morning. Victor Besa / The National
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Forecasters said it would rain throughout the day. Victor Besa / The National
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It has been an exceptionally wet start to 2022 for the UAE, with more than 18 months' worth of rain falling in only a few days earlier in the month. Victor Besa / The National
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Almost the entire Abu Dhabi emirate was blanketed in dense fog at the weekend. Victor Besa / The National
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People make their way on a street in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
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A man crosses a road in the capital. Victor Besa / The National
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Many people were wearing warm clothes, as chilly temperatures accompanied the rains. Victor Besa / The National
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A man rides an electric bike in the rain. Victor Besa / The National
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Women make their way amid the rains. Victor Besa / The National
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An almost deserted beach in Abu Dhabi during the wet weather. Victor Besa / The National
A rainbow at Expo 2020 Dubai on a cloudy, rainy day for much of the country from Abu Dhabi city to the Northern Emirates on Sunday, January 16. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A worker shelters beneath an umbrella in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Downtown Dubai awoke to rain. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Showers in Jumeirah, Dubai, made a day at the beach unappetising. Ruel Pableo for The National
Cyclists brave the weather in Deira. Ruel Pableo for The National
A car park in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YPAEOD3MS5CG5A6NJJIJVXKI2Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=d06d7bac664790a3af5f0fcd01769ddc3b603c71e81a715c4821486d40abf6ee&width=400&height=225)
Showers in Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning. Victor Besa / The National
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Police urged drivers to take care on the roads as rain fell across the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
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Temperatures were expected to reach a maximum of 26°C in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZACNOKQZNNGOFNUCUHKVG66KUM.jpg?smart=true&auth=965b37235dfd395a91a87e8b9b7ff1d9f3e743f5c6aef254b0ccfd2b34aeba31&width=400&height=225)
Rain on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
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Showers fell on various parts of Abu Dhabi before sunrise. Victor Besa / The National
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People make their way to work during the rain on Sunday morning. Victor Besa / The National
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Forecasters said it would rain throughout the day. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QODVOEJ6QRALRGE7CODBKB4FAA.jpg?smart=true&auth=28f698f387bd1a649d86e4af42627ec167bfd2f7554e53e7bff3126f6ddf0e9e&width=400&height=225)
It has been an exceptionally wet start to 2022 for the UAE, with more than 18 months' worth of rain falling in only a few days earlier in the month. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H744TGCAMBFGRLFZAWUS7CHWQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=ce0bf9dd29cd58fadc0282843e033cccc77a0a787fc66a46f9c8744d6241ccef&width=400&height=225)
Almost the entire Abu Dhabi emirate was blanketed in dense fog at the weekend. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/633EVRTUJVBP5INQCYLAJ4A3OY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2640aff11d7767ecf741f8baa396e2426f3f90b6689c1ad1f1176ffd5f04b03b&width=400&height=225)
People make their way on a street in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
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A man crosses a road in the capital. Victor Besa / The National
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Many people were wearing warm clothes, as chilly temperatures accompanied the rains. Victor Besa / The National
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A man rides an electric bike in the rain. Victor Besa / The National
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Women make their way amid the rains. Victor Besa / The National
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An almost deserted beach in Abu Dhabi during the wet weather. Victor Besa / The National
Middle East battered by severe rainstorms
Flash floods in Erbil, while outdoor events in Saudi Arabia cancelled to protect public safety
![Gillian Duncan](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F736ebb26-e270-44c5-96a2-80452d783888.png?smart=true&auth=6b2c4dc0614f332daaa4e848c41f090496fd16da3ccccaa940132372e6a74710&width=70&height=70)
Gillian Duncan
16 January, 2022
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