Overview
- The storms that swept the UAE Thursday night left flooded roads and service delays on Friday, with officials sharing verified video of lightning striking the Burj Khalifa.
- The National Centre of Meteorology said a slow-moving “main wave” kept rain falling for up to nine hours, with totals such as 77.5mm in Shoukah and 65.8mm in Kalba that were notable but below April 2024’s single‑day extremes.
- Police reported overflow from the Al Beeh and Qada’a valleys pushing water onto Emirates Road in Ras Al Khaimah, and agencies warned drivers to avoid low-lying areas and use alternative routes as crews pumped out standing water.
- Travel operators urged caution as Emirates told passengers to check flight status and only go to Dubai International if their flight was confirmed, Dubai Airports advised allowing extra time to reach DXB and DWC, and the RTA flagged temporary bus route disruptions with food deliveries slowed in some districts.
- Residents described water entering homes, broken balcony doors and windows from high winds, and cars stuck under fallen branches, while municipal teams began a large clean-up that officials said would continue into a weekend expected to be drier.