The United Arab Emirates experienced heavy thunderstorms on Tuesday (April 16th) , resulting in unprecedented rainfall that caused significant flooding in Dubai and other areas. Over 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rain fell in Dubai within 24 hours, which is more than a year and a half's worth of rainfall for the city. Dubai International Airport, one of the world's busiest airports, was heavily impacted with taxiways submerged under water and flights disrupted.

The thunderstorms began late Monday and intensified on Tuesday, with emergency services navigating flooded streets and residents dealing with water entering their homes and vehicles. Lightning strikes were observed, including around the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.

Across the UAE, schools closed in anticipation of the storm, and many government employees worked remotely. Authorities deployed tanker trucks to pump water off the streets, but the extensive rainfall overwhelmed the city's drainage systems, leading to widespread flooding.

In neighboring Oman, heavy rains also caused significant devastation, with at least 18 people reported dead and others missing. This tragic toll included schoolchildren swept away in floodwaters.

The UAE and Oman are typically arid regions, and rainfall of this magnitude is rare. The lack of adequate drainage infrastructure exacerbated the flooding in affected areas.

The impact of these storms underscores the importance of emergency preparedness and infrastructure development in arid regions susceptible to sudden extreme weather events.