Dubai has experienced the rare weather of rain and hail falling, leading to a flood in the desert metropolis of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The overcast sky also had government employees in Dubai working from home until February 13. Distance learning is still going on in all government schools until the same date.

Continuous wet weather has brought with it red and amber warnings from the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) for all parts of the country. Parts of Abu Dhabi reported hail, surprising UAE residents. Heavy rains affected Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah regions, leading to flooding with gushing water from surrounding valleys.

Sudden rains temporarily flooded the roads around Dubai, leaving cars to struggle through the water. The NCM said it had issued an orange weather alert for the continuing unstable weather. On Monday, early morning claps of thunder and flashes of lightning woke Dubai residents.

Experts attributed the instability in the weather to an upper air depression, a cold air mass, and the westerly air current. The road and public service departments also alerted motorists to take the necessary measures for safety. Lightning even struck the Burj Khalifa, the tallest man-made structure in the world.

Meanwhile, on February 13, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to visit the UAE for a two-day visit. It is the seventh visit the Indian Prime Minister will be making to the country since 2015 and the third in the last eight months. During his visit, PM Modi would also be inaugurating the BAPS temple in Abu Dhabi and addressing the Indian community at Zayed Sports City. The UAE leadership has given 27 acres of land for the construction of BAPS Mandir.