The Khatm al-Shakla area in Al Ain city witnessed 254.8 millimeters (mm) of rainfall in less than 24 hours, marking an exceptional event in the country’s weather history, meteorologists said.

Dubai, one of the UAE’s seven emirates along with Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Ajman and Umm al Quwain, is suffering from heavy flooding, as a year and a half’s worth of water fell in a single day.

Nearly 127 mm fell in 24 hours, climate scientist Colin McCarthy posted on his X account.

Scenes from Dubai, which hosted the United Nations COP28 Climate Change Conference last year, showed the megacity flooded.

Dubai International Airport had to divert flights due to flooding, despite the Arabian Peninsula country’s arid climate.

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