Dubai witnesses heavy rains, thunderstorms: flights cancelled

Dubai: UAE witnessed heavy rains and thunderstorms on Thursday, leading to the cancellation of several international flights. This is just after two weeks of unprecedented storms that have churned Dubai for days, PTI reported.

National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) in Dubai braced levels of the national system to deal with the situation. Though the rains are not as critical as they were last month, the public is advised to take precautions.

It was on April 14-15 torrential rains washed and battered the Arabian Peninsula, and Dubai experienced the heaviest showers since 1949.

Now, Dubai-based Emirates airline announced the cancellation of several flights on Thursday due to bad weather across the UAE. Also, movements at Dubai International Airport (DXB) were reduced.

Emirates said in a statement, "Customers arriving or departing from Dubai airport on 2 May can expect some delays as flights are rescheduled."

The following flights have been cancelled on May 2: EK 123/124 - between Dubai and Istanbul, EK 763/764 - between Dubai and Johannesburg, EK 719/720 - between Dubai and Nairobi, Ek 921/922 - between Dubai and Cairo, EK 903/904 - between Dubai and Amman, and EK 352/353 - between Dubai and Singapore (EK353 departing 3 May, 12.30 am - UAE time). The airline has also waived rebooking charges to help stranded passengers, PTI reported.

Emirates' Wednesday statement read, "Based on the expected weather conditions, the Ministry of Interior recommended, in coordination with NCEMA, activating remote learning on Thursday and Friday for all educational institutions, with decisions to be made by the competent authorities at the federal level and officials of local emergency management teams, in coordination with the Ministry of Education and the Emirates Schools Establishment."