Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm.
The rains began overnight, leaving massive ponds on streets as whipping winds disrupted flights at Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel and the home of the long-haul carrier Emirates. By the evening, over 120 millimeters (4.75 inches) of rainfall had soaked the city-state — the typical average for a year in the desert nation — with more expected in the coming hours.
In Oman, heavy rainfall has led to flash flooding on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, resulting in the loss of at least 17 lives as rescue operations continue. Flash floods are common during heavy rainfall, attracting onlookers to nearby dry riverbeds, known as "wadi" in Arabic. However, these areas can quickly fill with water during flooding, posing dangers to individuals and vehicles alike.
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