Abu Dhabi:

Days after the United Arab Emirates witnessed flooding in April, heavy rains have returned to the country with several flights being cancelled and delayed in and out of Dubai while people and students were asked to work and study from home, Khaleej Times reported.

An orange alert was issued on Thursday as heavy rains and thunderstorms lashed the UAE. Over the past few days, the UAE has been preparing for this wave of unstable weather, which is forecast to peak on May 2, until May 3.

People have been advised to take safety measures across all sectors. Schools are on distance learning while companies have been asked to allow people to work from home. Parks and beaches have been shut.

Dubai announced work from home for government employees on May 2 and May 3 due to unstable weather conditions prevailing in the emirate, according to Khaleej Times.

On Wednesday, UAE’s disaster management authority reiterated the nation’s readiness to tackle the upcoming weather conditions. It said that all relevant agencies are ready to tackle the anticipated weather fluctuations by implementing measures.

Earlier, an NCM expert said the impending weather condition is not anticipated to be the same as the rainfall seen on April 16. Officials have discussed the precautionary measures that must be taken during this time.

The UAE on Wednesday announced that students will have online classes for all government schools on May 2 and 3 in the country due to prevailing weather conditions.

Furthermore, the government announced that all private schools in Dubai will have online learning on May 2 and May 3 due to expected unstable weather conditions. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced that the decision is applicable to all private schools, nurseries and universities.

Five inbound flights to Dubai Airport were diverted overnight, while 9 arrivals and four outbound flights were cancelled, according to Dubai Airport spokesperson, Khaleej Times reported on May 2.

The airport spokesperson further said, “Guests departing from Dubai’s airports are advised to allocate additional time for their journey to the airport, as road congestion may be anticipated. We strongly encourage the utilisation of the Dubai Metro to get to DXB Terminals 1 and 3 wherever feasible.”

Emirates cancelled several flights due to bad weather across the UAE on Thursday. Flight operations at Dubai International Airport have been reduced.

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

A Flydubai spokesperson said that the “adverse weather conditions in Dubai on Thursday have caused some delays to their operations,” Khaleej Times reported.

The spokesperson added, “Passengers are advised to allow extra time for their journey to DXB, whether they are travelling by car or public transport. Passengers are also advised to update their contact details via the manage booking tab and check (flydubai website) for the latest updates regarding their flight.”

Sharjah-based Air Arabia advised passengers flying from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah to plan for additional travel time to the airport due to the weather conditions. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways asked passengers using the Etihad bus service between Zayed International Airport and Dubai “to check in early for their transfer to allow additional time to reach the airport”.

Indian Airlines IndiGo said that their flight operations have been affected due to bad weather in Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi. Vistara and SpiceJet also said that departures, arrivals, and flights will be impacted due to inclement weather, the report said.

In a post on X, IndiGo on Thursday stated, “#6ETravelAdvisory: Due to bad weather in #Dubai #Sharjah #RasAlKhaimah #AbuDhabi, our flight operations are impacted. Road blockages may disrupt local transport. Plan accordingly and allow extra time for airport travel.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

People queue at a flight connection desk after a rainstorm hit Dubai, causing delays at the Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates, April 17, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Heavy rains and thunderstorms lashed the U.A.E. on May 2, leading to the cancellation of several international flights, two weeks after Dubai was hit by unprecedented storms that paralysed the emirate for days.

On May 1, the country’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) elevated the readiness and preparedness levels of the national system to deal with the situation.

While these rains are expected to be less severe than the unprecedented downpour that hit the country last month, the public is urged to take precautions.

On April 14-15, extreme rainfall battered regions of the Arabian Peninsula, with Dubai experiencing the heaviest rains on record since 1949.

Dubai-based Emirates airline announced the cancellation of several flights on May 2 due to bad weather across the U.A.E. as movements at Dubai International Airport (DXB) were reduced.

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

The following flights have been cancelled on May 2: EK 123/124 — between Dubai and Istanbul, EK 763/764 — between Dubai and Johannesburg, EK 719/720 — between Dubai and Nairobi, Ek 921/922 — between Dubai and Cairo, EK 903/904 — between Dubai and Amman, and EK 352/353 – between Dubai and Singapore (EK353 departing 3 May, 12.30 am — UAE time). The airline has also waived rebooking charges to help stranded passengers.

“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 May 1.

As heavy winds and light rains lashed across the main cities, residents appeared more equipped to ride it out. Remote work systems were advised for all government and private sectors on May 2 and 3, except for vital jobs that require presence at the workplace and those involved in response and recovery efforts. The Interiro Ministry, in coordination with NCEMA, also decided to close all roads leading to areas prone to flash floods, water accumulations, and dams during the weather conditions.

“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. Besides moderate to heavy rain in scattered areas, accompanied by occasional lightning and thunder, a possibility of small hail, concentrated in the western regions, on the coasts, and in some eastern areas have also been warned.

Some flights were disrupted on May 1 and some events were postponed due to the inclement weather conditions. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways said its flight (EY197) from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) was diverted to Al-Ain “due to adverse weather conditions in Abu Dhabi”. The flight, which was scheduled to arrive in Abu Dhabi around 1.35 p.m., eventually landed around 7-30 p.m..

In Dubai, the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) announced the temporary suspension of accepting requests for the entry and departure of wooden dhows in Dubai. The PCFC has also advised sailors to avoid sailing during this time to ensure everyone’s safety. As dark clouds gathered and howling winds started to beat the windows across the city, residents looked more assured, and definitely better prepared.

Dubai Metro announced the extension of operating hours ahead of expected weather conditions, extending from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. (the next day). However, the number of stops for these trains was reduced.

“Heavy thunderstorms are forecast in Dubai on May 2. If you’re travelling to Dubai International Airport, you may experience road delays. We recommend adding extra travel time to reach the airport and using Dubai Metro where possible,” the Emirates airline’s spokesperson was quoted by the local media as saying on May 1.

The authorities have also been advised not to sail, and avoid valley areas, torrential rains, and low-lying places. They have been asked to exercise caution while driving vehicles and adhere to the instructions of the competent authorities.