Authorities in Dubai have issued an urgent directive for residents to remain indoors as heavy rainfall and potential flooding sweep across the United Arab Emirates, reviving memories of last year’s catastrophic flooding. A police alert sent directly to residents’ phones warned of unstable weather conditions expected to persist until Friday midday, urging people to avoid non-essential travel.
What Specific Warnings Have Been Issued?
A severe rainfall warning has been issued by the UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) for Thursday and Friday, with an emphasis on Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence authority has echoed the call, urging citizens to exercise extreme caution, avoid areas prone to flash floods, and remain vigilant. Following Thursday’s downpour, neighboring Gulf states including Saudi Arabia and Qatar have also issued weather warnings, extending the notice beyond the United Arab Emirates.
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18/12/2025 pic.twitter.com/7rlszsDoQ3— مركز العاصفة (@Storm_centre) December 18, 2025
How is This Weather Impacting Dubai Visibly?
The severity of the conditions is dramatically visible on the Dubai skyline. The famous Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure in the world, is entirely hidden by low-lying clouds in videos that are making the rounds on social media site X. The strength of the weather system passing across the normally arid area is seen in this image. The police alert, cited by AFP, explicitly stated: “For your safety, please remain cautious as unstable weather conditions are expected in the coming hours, and avoid going out unless it is absolutely necessary until midday on Friday.”
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Why is Dubai Especially Vulnerable to Heavy Rain?
The urgent warnings are informed by a traumatic recent precedent. The UAE saw record-breaking rains in April 2024, paralyzing Dubai. The absence of comprehensive rainwater drainage systems overwhelmed the city’s infrastructure, which was built for a desert climate.
Key Impacts from the 2024 Floods:
- Streets became rivers as homes and main thoroughfares flooded.
- Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world’s busiest hub for international travel, experienced severe disruptions and closures.
- The event highlighted the region’s acute vulnerability to increasingly extreme weather patterns.
Current warnings show a cautious stance by authorities seeking to stop a repeat of last year’s chaos and safeguard public safety. As rainfall continues, many locals are following the advice, uploading photos of the blocked skyline and silent streets. Authorities are watching the situation closely before Friday afternoon’s expected clearance under present weather conditions right now.
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