Dubai International Airport opening up for regular operations
Inbound flights have resumed, outbound flights are still facing delays
Dubai: Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest travel hubs in the world, is opening after severe heavy rain disrupted its operations. The storm, which hit the UAE on Tuesday, caused flash floods that killed 20 people in Oman and one in the UAE.
Chaos and Disorientation at the Airport
Many air passengers have reported scenes of chaos and disorientation at Dubai International Airport, with people unable to travel on their booked flights. Despite confirmed bookings, some passengers have complained that their tickets are not being processed due to check-in, bag drop, and passport control not being open.
Inbound Flights Resume, Outbound Flights Delayed
Dubai International Airport authorities have announced that inbound flights have resumed at Terminal 1, which foreign carriers use, but outbound flights continue to be delayed. Check-in has also been opened at Terminal 3 for Emirates and Flydubai flights, but many travellers are still waiting to check-in, and long delays are expected.
Historic Weather Events in UAE Due to Massive Storm
The UAE typically sees little rainfall in its arid desert climate. Still, the massive storm that hit the country's seven sheikhdoms has caused historic weather events that surpassed anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949. The storm caused over 5.59 inches of rainfall in Dubai over 24 hours, while an average year sees only 3.73 inches of rain at Dubai International Airport.
Flooding Overwhelms Drainage Systems
The flooding has overwhelmed the UAE's drainage systems, neighbourhoods, business districts, and even portions of the 12-lane Sheikh Zayed Road highway running through Dubai. The state-run WAM news agency called the rain "a historic weather event."
Experts Dismiss Cloud Seeding as the Sole Cause of Deluge
The flooding has sparked speculation that the UAE's aggressive cloud seeding campaign, in which small planes fly through clouds dispersing chemicals to cause rain to fall, may have contributed to the deluge. However, experts said that the storm systems that produced the rain were forecast well in advance and that cloud seeding alone would not have caused such flooding.
Climate Change Fueling More Extreme Weather Events
Climatologists have warned that human-driven climate change is fueling more extreme and less predictable weather events across the globe.
Dubai International Airport Authorities Working to Limit Damage
The disruptions at Dubai International Airport are causing significant inconvenience to air passengers, and authorities are working to limit the damage caused by the floods.