Shocking video shows tarmac at Dubai airport completely underwater

The United Arab Emirates and wider Gulf region has experienced more rain than ever before as a year’s worth of heavy downpour caused flooding on the streets. More than 5.6 inches of rain covered Dubai on Tuesday (more than the city usually experiences over the course of a year), and videos showed the complete chaos it has caused throughout the city.

The tarmac at the Dubai International Airport is completely underwater, with videos showing planes attempting to navigate the floods. Access roads continue to be blocked on Wednesday with most airlines, including Emirates, delaying and canceling flights. Emirates suspended passenger check-in for flights departing from Dubai from 8 a.m. Wednesday (local time) until midnight Thursday.

The Dubai International Airport has advised people “NOT to come to the airport unless absolutely necessary”. Delays and cancellations are expected to continue. Some passengers got stranded in the airport and had to spend the night there on Tuesday as there were no means of transport available to leave the airport. Many drivers were forced to abandon their vehicles on the street as the roads began to flood and water began to rise.

The downpour that Dubai experienced is part of a large storm traveling through the Arabian Peninsula and through the Gulf of Oman. Oman and parts of Iran are also experiencing unusual amounts of rain due to the storm. The rain is expected to slow down significantly in Dubai throughout Wednesday, but light rain is expected to continue.