Dubai airport flood update: roads and airport slow recovery
Dubai’s airport, one of the world’s busiest, faced major disruption for the third consecutive day on Thursday as the heaviest rains on record hit the desert United Arab Emirates. The chaos caused by the torrential downpour led to the cancellation of 1,244 flights and the diversion of 41 others on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Emirates, Dubai’s state-owned flagship airline, and sister carrier flydubai had to temporarily halt check-ins on Wednesday due to the stranded passengers clogging the airport. However, they resumed operations on Thursday, although the traffic congestion remained severe with major highways blocked by water and multiple routes cut off by flooding.
Dubai Airport, known for handling more international passengers than any other, witnessed chaotic scenes as thousands of marooned travellers sought information about their flights. Many passengers were forced to spend the night at the airport due to the flooded roads and the lack of staff who were unable to reach their workplaces.
Despite efforts to restore scheduled operations, nearly 200 departures were still delayed or cancelled on Thursday. The situation left passengers like Julie, a 72-year-old traveller, feeling helpless and stranded as they struggled to navigate the disrupted transportation systems.
The challenges faced by passengers, including flight diversions and the inability to reach their accommodations, highlighted the extent of the disruption caused by the unprecedented rainfall in Dubai. The airport authorities urged passengers to stay away.
UAE flooding news: Dubai Airport flood video
🚨🇦🇪 BREAKING
— Alex Barnicoat (@mrbarnicoat) April 16, 2024
Dubai has been hit with massive flooding
This is the airport, it literally is now an ocean
pic.twitter.com/2506PNL5gp