Dubai was hit by a fresh bout of heavy overnight rainfall into Friday, triggering widespread flooding and disrupting transport across the city.

Floodwaters inundated roads in several districts, submerging junctions, service lanes and underpasses. The conditions left some motorists stranded, while others were forced to abandon their vehicles as water levels rose. Emergency response teams, including police, pumping crews and recovery units, were deployed before dawn to manage the situation and clear affected areas.

The flooding significantly disrupted the morning commute in one of the Gulf’s busiest urban centres, once again highlighting the vulnerability of low-lying infrastructure to sudden, intense storms.

Across the United Arab Emirates, authorities have issued repeated weather warnings throughout the week, citing unstable atmospheric conditions as the country approaches the hotter summer months.

Forecasts on Friday indicated the possibility of further rainfall and storm activity in parts of the country. Aviation authorities also cautioned that adverse weather could lead to delays, advising travellers to check flight schedules in advance.

While such heavy downpours remain relatively uncommon in the region, scientists and meteorologists say they are occurring with increasing frequency and intensity. These short but powerful weather events are placing growing pressure on drainage systems, transport networks and emergency services, raising concerns about urban resilience in the face of shifting climate patterns.