Torrential rains and powerful winds wreaked havoc across the Gulf region on Tuesday, amplifying the death toll from storms in Oman to 18, tragically including many children.
The intensity of the storms prompted flight cancellations in Dubai, the financial heart of the region, while schools remained closed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain. Floodwaters engulfed numerous areas in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, disrupting major roadways, causing traffic chaos, and leaving vehicles stranded.
Dubai, typically characterized by clear, azure skies, experienced a sudden transition to near-nighttime conditions in the middle of the afternoon as a secondary storm front surged in. According to the UAE’s National Center of Meteorology, the storms are forecasted to persist into Wednesday.
In some inland regions of the desert nation, rainfall measurements exceeded 80 millimeters (3.2 inches), nearing the yearly average of approximately 100 mm. The meteorological authority issued a warning, advising residents to exercise caution and avoid flood-prone areas.
Dubai Airports reported the cancellation of 17 inbound and outbound flights, with three flights diverted. Meanwhile, Bahrain grappled with heavy rainfall and flooding following a night of thunderstorms and lightning strikes.
The onslaught of storms first struck Oman, triggering deadly floods and stranding numerous individuals. Emergency authorities confirmed the recovery of a child’s body on Tuesday, elevating the death toll to 18, with two individuals still missing.
