Torrential storms hit Dubai, causing city-wide chaos and trapping residents
Violent storms in Dubai have paralyzed the lives of its residents. Accounts of people unable to commute from work to their homes through the flooded city are shocking. Some were forced to spend the night in their offices, where they remained for several dozen hours. "We waded through flooded streets and had to navigate across broken pieces of cars, metal, and debris hidden under the dark brown water," recount the shaken residents.
7:11 AM EDT, April 18, 2024
On Tuesday, Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emirates, was struck by torrential and intense storms, leading to widespread flooding.
Media reports indicate that within twelve hours, Dubai experienced as much rainfall as it typically does in an entire year, about 3.3 inches per square meter.
Power outages, flight delays, and the evacuation of homes at risk of flooding are among the visible consequences of this weather disaster. City residents have shared their harrowing survival stories with "The National News."
Ahmed Ali, an accountant at a food and beverage company, found himself trapped in his office in Dubai Marina from 6:00 PM (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, following a full day of work. With roads and the metro closed, he spent a total of 30 hours there.
"We couldn’t sleep for most of the night since there were no pillows or blankets,” said the accountant, as quoted by The National News.
"On Sheikh Zayed Road, traffic was already slow, but around 7:00 PM (Eastern Time), it rained very heavily, raising the water level and halting many cars and buses," shares Paul Lund, a financial analyst who also had to stay in his office at the Dubai International Financial Centre.
