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Heavy rain in a part of the world known for sunshine, not storms, brought large parts of the United Arab Emirates to a standstill early Friday, flooding roads in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and disrupting travel just days before the holiday rush.
The intense downpour, unusual even by regional standards, forced authorities to urge residents to stay indoors, shut public spaces and switch thousands of government workers to remote work. In some areas, streets turned into rivers within hours.
By Friday morning, water had pooled across low-lying roads in Dubai, while overnight storms drenched Abu Dhabi. Videos shared online showed fast-moving floodwater rushing through valleys in the northern emirates, areas that can become deadly with little warning.
Officials warned drivers to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
Dubai’s government instructed all public-sector employees to work from home, strongly encouraging private companies to follow suit. In Abu Dhabi, residents were told to remain indoors until at least midday, while beaches, parks and tourist attractions were temporarily closed as a safety measure.
Flooding in Dubai, UAE early this morning. pic.twitter.com/P1ctovuz88
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) December 19, 2025
Not the first time, and that’s the worry
What rattled residents most is that this wasn’t a one-off.
Just last year, in 2024, similar extreme rainfall flooded parts of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, exposing how vulnerable desert cities can be to sudden cloudbursts. Friday’s storm was less severe, but it once again showed how quickly roads, underpasses and neighborhoods can flood when heavy rain hits all at once.
The problem is simple: the UAE is built for dry weather. Drainage systems designed for arid conditions struggle when large volumes of rain fall in a short time.
Climate experts say these intense, short bursts of rain are becoming more common across the Gulf, turning what used to be rare events into a growing pattern and putting pressure on infrastructure not built to handle it.
Travel hit as airlines issue warnings
The weather quickly spilled into travel chaos.
Dubai Municipality said its emergency response teams were on standby around the clock, while travel advisories urged people to avoid non-essential movement through the weekend.
Flights were also affected. Several airlines warned passengers of possible delays, citing thunderstorms and unstable weather across the UAE. Some travelers reported difficulties reaching Dubai International Airport, while insurance companies sent alerts advising residents on how to protect cars from flood damage.
The ripple effects reached beyond the UAE. In neighboring Qatar, heavy rain and lightning forced the abandonment of a FIFA Arab Cup playoff match in Doha, another sign that extreme weather is disrupting everyday life across the region.
*Source: India Today
