At least three people have died in the United Arab Emirates as a result of heavy flooding caused by record-setting rains this week, according to authorities.
Two women suffocated inside their car and a man died when his vehicle fell into a sinkhole, according to a statement by the Philippines' Department of Migrant Workers.
The exact number of deaths caused by the storm is not yet known as UAE officials declined to release any information.
Meanwhile, emergency workers tried to clear waterlogged roads and people assessed the damage to homes and businesses after the rare rainstorm swamped the UAE.
Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, struggled to clear a backlog of flights and many roads were still flooded on Thursday in the aftermath of Tuesday's deluge.
The rains were the heaviest experienced by the Gulf state in the 75 years that records have been kept. They brought much of the country to a standstill and caused significant damage.
Flooding trapped residents in traffic, offices and homes. Many reported leaks at their homes, while footage circulated on social media showed malls with water pouring from roofs.
Traffic remained heavily disrupted. A highway through Dubai was reduced to a single lane in one direction, bringing traffic to a standstill, while the main road that connects Dubai with Abu Dhabi was closed in the Abu Dhabi direction.
In Dubai, some vehicles, including buses, were almost entirely submerged in water.
Emergency workers used a fire truck to pump water from a road flooded in nearly waist-deep water as drivers tried to pass, navigating around abandoned vehicles
The desert emirate saw 5.6inches of rain - about a year's worth - in 24 hours by the end of Tuesday.
Pictures on social media showed a cat clinging to a car door to avoid being swept away. Fortunately, it was rescued by police.
Dubai Airport hoped to be back on a normal schedule within 24 hours, its chief executive told The Associated Press on Thursday.
On Friday, long-haul carrier Emirates said on the social platform X that it would again halt local check-in for passengers traveling on its flights until early Saturday to “support operations recovery from the recent bad weather at our Dubai hub”.
Low-cost carrier FlyDubai also saw some disruptions.
Meanwhile, intense floods also struck neighbouring Oman in recent days killing at least 21.
At least 23 flights had been due to leave Britain for Dubai on Wednesday but they were among 300 cancelled.
Heavy rain also left commuters stranded with no way to get home after Metro stations and streets were flooded.
