Airlines operating in the UAE have issued travel advisories as severe weather, including heavy rainfall and strong winds, affects flight schedules and prompts passengers to stay updated on possible delays.
UAE storm: Residents find cars damaged and trees uprooted after heavy weather
Heavy rain swept across several parts of the UAE early on Thursday, leaving some residents dealing with flooding and, in certain areas, hail. In Ras Al Khaimah, rainfall continued steadily through the early morning hours.
Resident Soni Salim said she was jolted awake by loud thunder. “The thunderstorm and rain were extremely intense,” she said. “I woke up hearing objects being blown around by the rain. By the time I got up, water had entered my home through the windows and the main entrance. My bedroom, living area, and children’s room were all flooded.”
Ras Al Khaimah Police issued mobile alerts to residents, warning of rapidly changing weather, heavy rainfall, and strong winds. Authorities advised the public to remain cautious near ponds, streams, and waterlogged areas.
Videos shared on Storm.ae’s social media platforms also showed hail falling in parts of the emirate.
Residents in Umm Al Quwain reported persistent rainfall during the morning hours. “The rain kept falling steadily from Fajr prayers in my area of Al Hadeetha,” said Umm Ahmed. “It stopped after some time. Fortunately, the roads were manageable, and my son was able to go to work.”
UAE weather expert Mohammed Sajjad shared footage on social media showing heavy rainfall in Umm Al Quwain and parts of Sharjah. The clips captured dark clouds overhead and rain pouring down, forming pools of water on roads.
Emergency teams and municipal workers were seen inspecting affected areas and clearing fallen branches from roads and walkways as daylight broke. In some neighbourhoods, residents joined in to remove debris from entrances and parking spaces to restore access. Authorities advised motorists to remain cautious, particularly on roads where water had pooled or surfaces remained slippery. Social media platforms were flooded with images and videos shared by residents showing damaged vehicles, blocked streets and scattered debris, highlighting how widespread the impact of the storm had been overnight. Many residents said the sudden intensity of the weather caught them off guard despite prior forecasts, underscoring the unpredictable nature of such systems.
Another Ras Al Khaimah resident, Suwish Araham, said the true extent of the storm’s impact only became visible after sunrise, when residents stepped outside to assess the damage.
“By morning, we realised that several cars had been damaged,” he said. “Some vehicles were struck by fallen tree branches and debris overnight. It happened so quickly that most people were unaware until they came out later.”
He noted that the damage went beyond vehicles. In certain neighbourhoods, pavements were covered with broken branches, while debris blown or washed by wind and rain partially blocked parking areas. Cars parked near trees and along residential walkways appeared to have suffered the most damage, he added.
Abdul Rahim, a grocery shop owner in Ras Al Khaimah, said water accumulation on several roads has disrupted movement and impacted routine business operations in some localities.
“Water has collected on a few roads, making travel difficult,” he said. “Some shops have stayed shut because water entered their premises. They are waiting for the roads to clear before reopening.”
He added that although the rain had eased by morning, the effects of the overnight storm were still evident in many neighbourhoods, especially in low-lying commercial zones.
Meanwhile, residents in parts of Dubai and Abu Dhabi reported overcast skies and light rainfall. Unsettled weather is expected to persist across the UAE as a low-pressure system continues to affect the region, with thunderstorms forecast to intensify on Thursday and last through Friday.
Emergency teams and municipal workers were seen inspecting affected areas and clearing fallen branches from roads and walkways as daylight broke. In some neighbourhoods, residents joined in to remove debris from entrances and parking spaces to restore access. Authorities advised motorists to remain cautious, particularly on roads where water had pooled or surfaces remained slippery. Social media platforms were flooded with images and videos shared by residents showing damaged vehicles, blocked streets and scattered debris, highlighting how widespread the impact of the storm had been overnight. Many residents said the sudden intensity of the weather caught them off guard despite prior forecasts, underscoring the unpredictable nature of such systems.
