:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/XX6CYUK2JZC4DALPUDT7OQAZ6Y.jpg "Videos: Heavy rains and floods paralyzed Dubai airport and roads")
After heavy rains, Dubai airports and roads were flooded
This Tuesday, Dubai airports were affected by heavy rains, which temporarily interrupted operations due to flooding on the runways, as well as on access roads.
Dubai Airports is the manager of the emirate’s airports and today issued an alert announcing that “operations continue to be significantly disrupted at Dubai International Airport due to heavy rain and flooding” this day.
In the note, the company reported that “due to the intense storm, operations were temporarily suspended for 25 minutes this afternoon,” but after this stoppage, it noted that operations were restarted slowly and safely, and at this time “they are in recovery mode.”
Many surprised citizens shared through the social network X, formerly known as Twitter, the repercussions that the weather brought to the city. The multiple videos and photographs of the airport, as well as the roads and shopping centers flooded by the torrential rains, showed how the emirate was affected throughout this day.
While in the images you can see how the cars are covered up to half by water, in the videos of the Dubai International Airport the runways are indistinguishable, and the planes move with their wheels completely submerged in the water. In an ironic tone, Breaking Aviation News & Videos, sharing the video, commented: “Dubai Airport enjoying a small shower.” But the amount of water found on the runways was such that different people on the social network compared the airport to a lake.
“A total of 21 outbound and 24 arrival flights have been canceled since 12:02 local time (08:02 GMT) this morning, and three flights were diverted to other neighboring airports,” the note stated.
It was also highlighted that “there is significant flooding on the access roads around Dubai leading to the airport”, and it was announced that “current weather forecasts indicate that unsettled weather will continue to cause delays and disruption into the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 17.”
With the aim of “restoring normal operations as soon as possible and minimizing inconvenience” to passengers, Dubai International Airport activated teams in response, to work closely with airlines and other service partners.
Given these unfortunate circumstances, travelers were recommended to use the Dubai metro as a means of transportation “for more fluid transit,” taking advantage of the fact that the subway extended its service until 3:00 a.m. (23:00 GMT).
On the other hand, as reported in a statement on the social network X, the Government of Dubai extended remote work for public employees until tomorrow, Wednesday, April 17, due to difficult weather conditions.
In addition, the note indicates that “private schools in Dubai have also been ordered to continue with distance learning tomorrow. “Private sector entities are urged to adopt remote work tomorrow and take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of everyone.”
(With information from EFE)