Dubai Police have advised residents to stay indoors as heavy rainfall hits the city. Thursday’s rain follows record downpours last year that caused widespread flooding across the emirate. As per AFP, “For your safety, please remain cautious as unstable weather conditions are expected in the coming hours, and avoid going out unless it is absolutely necessary until midday on Friday,” said a police alert sent to residents’ phones.”
The National Centre of Meteorology in the United Arab Emirates has issued a heavy rainfall warning for Thursday and Friday, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi expected to be most affected.
مباشر : دبي تعانق السحاب في منظر جميل #منخفض_البشاير #أخبار_الإمارات #مركز_العاصفة
18/12/2025 pic.twitter.com/7rlszsDoQ3— مركز العاصفة (@Storm_centre) December 18, 2025
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Gulf states and authorities on alert
Alongside the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have also issued weather alerts after the forecasted downpour. The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence has urged residents to stay vigilant, take precautions, and avoid flood-prone areas during the rain.
Social media videos show Burj Khalifa and other skyscrapers disappearing behind clouds, reflecting the intensity of the weather in Dubai.
Last year, the UAE experienced record rainfall in April, which caused severe flooding in Dubai and other cities. Streets turned into rivers, homes were inundated, and Dubai airport, the world’s busiest hub for international passengers, was severely affected due to insufficient storm drainage.
It rains in Dubai. How? They are artificially seeding the clouds using sodium iodide and dry ice. This makes rain droplets to fuse together by adhesion and it falls. More middle-east countries are implementing this technique to fight draught. pic.twitter.com/S7QF7FXv9L
— Theaspiringcreator (@Theaspirintouch) December 18, 2025
Lightning strikes Burj Khalifa
Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum shared an amazing video showing a lightning bolt striking the top of the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa. Posted with a hashtag and two emojis, the clip has captivated viewers.
Though brief, the video is striking: it shows the Burj Khalifa standing tall against a dark sky, and in an instant, a lightning bolt hits the steel structure at the building’s pinnacle. The sound of rain and thunder in the background makes the scene even more mesmerizing.
The National Centre of Meteorology has issued warnings of unstable weather across the UAE, including rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and hail, according to Gulf News.
