Dubai Airport, Airlines Issue Travel Alerts Amid Heavy Rains And Thunderstorm

Dubai airports and airlines are cautioning passengers to prepare in advance for potential travel disruptions caused by heavy rains and thunderstorms in the UAE. Travelers are urged to anticipate traffic delays and consider using the Dubai Metro as an alternative.

This comes as the country has readied itself for volatile weather, projected to reach its peak on May 2, and persist until May 3, the Khaleej Times reported, adding that safety advisories have been issued across sectors. Since midnight, heavy rains have been pounding the country, with Dubai experiencing showers and lightning as early as 2:35 am, according to alerts issued by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

Indian airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Vistara have issued advisories for flights to and from Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi due to the expected bad weather, as reported by CNBCTV18. IndiGo posted on X, “Due to adverse weather conditions in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, our flight operations are impacted. Please keep a track of your flight status before leaving for the airport.” Vistara advised, “Due to the anticipated bad weather conditions from May 2 to 5, traffic congestion is expected enroute to Dubai Airport. Customers are advised to allow more time for their journey to the airport. Thank you.” SpiceJet urged passengers to check their flight status, warning of possible disruptions due to thunderstorms and rain in Dubai.

Heaviest rains on record since 1949

While these rains are expected to be less severe than the unprecedented downpour that hit the country last month, the public is urged to take precautions. On April 14-15, extreme rainfall battered regions of the Arabian Peninsula, with Dubai experiencing the heaviest rains on record since 1949. Dubai-based Emirates airline announced the cancellation of several flights on Thursday due to bad weather across the UAE as movements at Dubai International Airport (DXB) were reduced.

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

Remote learning

The Ministry of Interior asked for 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. As heavy winds and light rains lashed across the main cities, residents appeared more equipped to ride it out. Remote work systems were advised for all government and private sectors on Thursday and Friday, except for vital jobs that require presence at the workplace and those involved in response and recovery efforts. The Ministry of Interior also decided to close all roads leading to areas prone to flash floods, water accumulations, and dams during the weather conditions.

They urged the public to stay away from these areas and adhere to safety standards and guidelines, avoid mountainous, desert, and coastal areas, said a statement. Besides moderate to heavy rain in scattered areas, accompanied by occasional lightning and thunder, a possibility of small hail, concentrated in the western regions, on the coasts, and in some eastern areas have also been warned. Some flights were disrupted on Wednesday and some events were postponed due to the inclement weather conditions.

Flights and Metro

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways said its flight (EY197) from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) was diverted to Al-Ain due to adverse weather conditions in Abu Dhabi. The flight, which was scheduled to arrive in Abu Dhabi around 1.35 pm, eventually landed around 7-30 pm. In Dubai, the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) announced the temporary suspension of accepting requests for the entry and departure of wooden dhows in Dubai.

Dubai Metro announced the extension of operating hours ahead of expected weather conditions, extending from 12 am to 5 am (the next day). However, the number of stops for these trains was reduced. Heavy thunderstorms are forecast in Dubai on May 2. “If you’re travelling to Dubai International Airport, you may experience road delays. We recommend adding extra travel time to reach the airport and using Dubai Metro where possible,” the Emirates airline’s spokesperson was quoted by the local media as saying on Wednesday. The authorities have also been advised not to sail, and avoid valley areas, torrential rains, and low-lying places.

(With agency inputs)