The death toll from torrential rains that hit the United Arab Emirates earlier this week has risen to at least four, authorities said today, as roads remained flooded and problems were reported at Dubai International Airport.
The storm first hit Oman over the weekend, killing at least 20 people, before sweeping across the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, where it recorded the heaviest rains in 75 years of records.
REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
Two Filipino women and a man died while riding in their vehicles during the floods, the government in Manila said. A UAE man in his 70s was killed when his vehicle was swept away by rushing torrents in the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest travel hubs in the Middle East, is still struggling to operate backlogged flights three days after the storm.
It limits arrivals for two days, until Sunday 21/04.
Flights are cancelled
Emirates carrier, one of the world’s largest international airlines, announced that check-in has been suspended for passengers planning to travel through Dubai, although those for whom the city is a final destination will be able to travel as normal.
As of this morning local time, 1,478 flights to and from Dubai have been canceled since Tuesday, about 30 percent of all flights, according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24.
In Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, state carrier Etihad announced that flights are now operating as normal.
The main road connecting Dubai, the most populous emirate, with Abu Dhabi remains partially closed today.
In the northern part of the UAE, including in the emirate of Sharjah, local media reported that people remained trapped in their homes. Residents say businesses have suffered extensive damage.
The United Arab Emirates’ National Meteorological Center said rainfall is expected to return late on Monday, although light is forecast, while there is a chance of heavy rain again on Tuesday in some areas.
Source: RES-MPE
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