Fri Dec 19 10:19:36 UTC 2025: Summary:

Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on December 19, 2025, causing widespread flooding and disruption. Dozens of flights were cancelled or delayed at Dubai and Sharjah airports, and roads were flooded, reminiscent of the severe floods in April 2024. Authorities had warned residents to stay indoors, and efforts were underway to clear blocked roads. Other Gulf states, including Qatar, also experienced heavy rain. Scientists suggest that global warming likely exacerbated similar intense rains in the UAE and Oman in the previous year.

News Article:

UAE Hit by Heavy Rains, Flights Disrupted in Dubai and Sharjah

Dubai, UAE – December 19, 2025 – The United Arab Emirates was battered by torrential rainfall on Friday, December 19, 2025, causing widespread flooding and significant disruption to travel. Dozens of flights were cancelled or delayed at major airports in Dubai and Sharjah as roads were submerged in water, echoing scenes from the devastating floods of April 2024.

Emirates airline cancelled 13 flights, while Sharjah’s airport also reported numerous delays and cancellations. Residents in Sharjah woke to find their main thoroughfare completely flooded, forcing some to wade through the water.

Authorities had issued warnings urging residents to remain indoors unless “absolutely necessary” as the storm approached. Water-pumping trucks were deployed across Dubai to clear blocked roads and standing water.

“Some flights are cancelled or delayed due to adverse weather,” stated a spokesperson for Dubai Airports.

The National Center of Meteorology had issued a warning of rainfall across the country, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Other Gulf states, including Qatar, also experienced heavy rainfall, leading to the cancellation of the Arab Cup football play-off match between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Last year’s unprecedented downpours in the UAE, the heaviest in 76 years, resulted in fatalities and brought Dubai to a standstill for several days. A study has suggested that global warming likely contributed to the severity of such intense rainfall events in the region.

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