Thunder and lightning struck the world’s tallest building as Dubai faces flooding after heavy storms on Friday.
United Arab Emirates officials issued warnings to residents on Thursday evening that Dubai would experience “unstable weather conditions until the morning” with rain, thunder, lightning and strong gusts of wind.
Dramatic pictures were posted on social media of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building at 829m (2,722ft), struck by lightning in the midst of the overnight storm.
Heavy rain flooded main roads, according to photos shared by Dubai Police. The force activated an emergency response plan to address potential disruptions, said Brigadier Turki Abdulrahman bin Fares, director of the general department of operations at Dubai Police.
The force said on social media: “Amid heavy rains across various parts of the Emirate of Dubai and fluctuating weather conditions, Dubai Police has intensified its field efforts through its specialized teams to ensure road safety and smooth traffic flow.
“These efforts are part of an integrated operational system based on rapid response and coordination with partners, which enhances preparedness levels and raises awareness among road users about the importance of adhering to traffic rules and following traffic guidelines.”
Brigadier bin Fares said that the command and control centre’s readiness levels were at maximum operational capacity, according to Gulf News, and that the police had introduced digital platforms to monitor conditions across the emirate.
This included a platform dedicated to tracking flooded streets and intersections, with data also integrated into SatNav apps to help the public identify safe and accessible routes.
Another platform was launched for the public to request assistance from emergency services directly, which Gulf News said would enable faster response times.
Rain continued to fall across parts of the UAE on Friday evening as the “low-pressure system” brought showers to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman and Sharjah.
Authorities gave no details of whether the weather had caused any damage, death or injuries.
