Flight operations in Dubai continue to face disruptions due to floods

New Delhi, Apr 18:  Amidst ongoing heavy rains wreaking havoc across the United Arab Emirates and neighbouring regions, operations at Dubai Airport continue to face significant disruptions.

While some inbound flights cautiously resumed on Thursday, the overall functionality of Dubai International Airport, a pivotal travel nexus, remains severely hampered.

The storm, which struck the UAE on Tuesday, flooded roads, and critical sections of the international airport, aggravating the challenges for travellers and authorities alike. Tragically, the toll of the flash floods has been severe, claiming the lives of 20 individuals in Oman and one in the UAE.

Media reported that authorities managing the world’s second-busiest airport announced that inbound few flights at Terminal 1, serving foreign carriers, have commenced, albeit outbound flights continue to experience delays. Subsequently, they opened check-in facilities at Terminal 3 for Emirates and Flydubai flights, albeit cautioning passengers about anticipated long queues and delays.

In an early Thursday update on social media platform X, officials advised individuals to head to the airport solely if they possessed confirmed bookings. Paul Griffiths, the head of Dubai Airport, described the situation as “incredibly challenging,” noting its unprecedented nature in living memory.

The surrounding road network remains heavily congested, compounded by travellers attempting to navigate their way to the airport amidst the adverse conditions. Although most Dubai roads have reopened, motorist officials are urged to avoid certain partially closed routes due to lingering floodwater accumulation following record-breaking rainfall on April 16 and 17 and hundreds of stranded vehicles on the road.

Wednesday witnessed the cancellation of around 300 flights, with hundreds more experiencing delays. The UAE grappled with its heaviest recorded rainfall in history, with up to 259.5mm on Tuesday.

Furthermore, the airport’s logistical challenges extended to provisioning food for stranded passengers, with floodwater-blocked roads impeding supply routes. As road closures persist, some motorists find themselves trapped in vehicles or stranded along the roadside due to rising water levels.

Emergency services are diligently working to clear waterlogged roads to aid those trapped in traffic, offices, and homes. Major routes, including the Dubai-Abu Dhabi thoroughfare, remain closed in the Abu Dhabi direction, compounding the region’s transportation woes.

Stranded passengers have turned to social media platforms to voice their concerns and seek assistance, highlighting the disarray and uncertainty prevalent among travellers, including families with young children.

As thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds persist, authorities have issued warnings, with Oman evacuating over 1,400 individuals to shelters and shutting down schools and government offices.

Meanwhile, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered a comprehensive review of the country’s infrastructure impacted by the inclement weather, emphasizing support for affected families and reassessment of safety measures.