A relentless downpour hit the United Arab Emirates and Oman this week, killing at least 20 people and causing multiple flight delays and cancellations at Dubai Airport and paralyzing other cities, writes UNN citing The New York Times.
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The storm first hit Oman on Sunday, killing 19 people, causing widespread flash flooding and turning streets into raging rivers in the capital Muscat.
In the UAE, which has seen the heaviest rainfall in 75 years, one person has died in the city of Ras al-Khaimah and authorities have urged residents to stay indoors. Video from the scene showed cars stranded on blocked highways and planes taxiing down flooded runways.
According to the FlightAware service, a total of more than 270 flights to and from Dubai airport were canceled on Wednesday, while another 370 flights were delayed, BBC writes.
Oman, like the UAE, usually receives little rainfall. Average annual rainfall ranges from 150 to 300 mm in the north of the country.
Heavy rains have also hit Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in recent days.
Many factors contribute to such weather events, including warming caused by climate change - making extreme precipitation more likely.