Rains return to UAE: Schools shut, several flights cancelled

Heavy rains and thunderstorms lashed the UAE on Thursday led to the cancellation of several international flights, and an orange alert was issued.

Thursday rain comes two weeks after Dubai was hit by unprecedented storms that halted the emirate for days. On Wednesday, the country’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) increased the readiness and preparedness levels of the national system to deal with the situation.

The fresh spell forced the closure of schools and many offices across the country with cancellation of as many as 13 flights. Five were diverted from Dubai International Airport, which is the world's busiest by international passenger traffic.

"Due to bad weather in Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al-Khaimah, Abu Dhabi, our flight operations are impacted. Road blockages may disrupt local transport. Plan accordingly and allow extra time for airport travel," IndiGo also issued an advisory.

On Thursday, little traffic was seen on Dubai's normally heaving, six-lane highways, and cars were abandoned on flooded roads near the sprawling Ibn Battuta mall, reported Hindustan Times.

“Customers arriving or departing from Dubai airport on 2 May can expect some delays as flights are rescheduled,” Emirates said in a statement.

“Based on the expected weather conditions, the Ministry of Interior recommended, in coordination with NCEMA, activating remote learning on Thursday and Friday for all educational institutions, with decisions to be made by the competent authorities at the federal level and officials of local emergency management teams, in coordination with the Ministry of Education and the Emirates Schools Establishment,” it said on Wednesday.

Although these rains are not expected to be as severe as the one seen last month, authorities have still urged public to take caution. “They urged the public to stay away from these areas and adhere to safety standards and guidelines, avoid mountainous, desert, and coastal areas,” said a statement.

On April 14-15, extreme rainfall hit regions of the Arabian Peninsula, with Dubai experiencing the heaviest rains on record since 1949.  Dubai recorded a record 259.5 mm of rain in mid-April  that left four people dead, blocking major roads for days and forcing the cancellation of more than 2,000 flights.