UAE Streets Flooded Due to Heavy Night Rains

A relentless overnight deluge has transformed major arteries across the United Arab Emirates into waterways, causing significant disruption to morning commutes on Friday, March 27, 2026. While main highways remain largely passable, a network of slip roads, tunnels, and residential streets in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah are now waterlogged, leaving thousands stranded and forcing authorities to issue urgent safety warnings.

The storm, which battered the region late Thursday into early Friday, left a trail of standing water that has paralyzed traffic in key economic zones. Although Sheikh Zayed Road through Dubai and the E11 corridor to Abu Dhabi are reported to be largely clear, the infrastructure surrounding them has buckled under the pressure. Numerous motorway slip roads are submerged, creating bottlenecks that have turned Google Maps traffic trackers dark red in areas like the Al Fardan Metro station and around Arenco Tower in Media City.

Specific hotspots of severe flooding have emerged across the emirates. In Dubai, the road leading to the Jebel Ali Free Zone toward Abu Dhabi is choked with heavy water accumulation. The Al Quoz industrial area faces similar challenges with deep standing water on internal roads, while the vicinity of the Mall of the Emirates is partially flooded. Perhaps most concerning is the Al Jamayel Street tunnel, a critical connector between Dubai Marina and the eastern suburbs of Jumeirah Park and Jebel Ali, which appears completely waterlogged.

In the southern suburbs and residential districts, the impact has been more acute. The main road into The Greens and First Al Khail near the Saudi German Hospital are heavily waterlogged. Reports from Dubai Eye radio indicate that several cars have been seen floating in the floodwaters, and the low-lying Dubai Investment Park neighborhood has been declared "impassable." Residents in these areas have faced waits exceeding two hours for public transport, with many forced to cross streets barefoot or with drenched footwear.

Abu Dhabi has not been spared. Flooding has been reported in the city center, particularly in the Al Wadha and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed areas. The Al Wahda district, including the vicinity of Al Wahda Mall and the Central Bus Station, saw heavy inundation in side streets and intersections. Consequently, speed limits on the E10 motorway—the main artery onto Abu Dhabi Island—have been reduced from the standard 100 kph to 60 kph.

Traffic congestion has also severely impacted access to Dubai International Airport. By 7:30 a.m. on Friday, heavy traffic was reported on the main Airport Road from Garhoud to Terminals 1 and 3. The approach road to Terminal 2 on the Sharjah side was similarly gridlocked, with local radio attributing the delays to standing water. In Sharjah city itself, known for being low-lying and prone to flooding, the situation remains critical, with the Ittihad Road turning into the E11 at the Dubai border described as narrow, low-lying, and congested.

Beyond the urban centers, the desert roads have become treacherous. Footage from the road between Meliha and Dhaid in eastern Sharjah shows dangerous conditions, prompting authorities to warn drivers to strictly avoid wadis due to the risk of vehicles being swept away. While pumps were deployed in anticipation of the storm—a move praised as good planning by local authorities—many desert routes remain completely impassable following last night's intensity.

The respite from the rain is expected to be short-lived. The National Weather Centre has forecast another downpour for Friday evening, between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., across much of the country. While weather charts suggest this second front may not be as intense as the overnight deluge, the ground remains saturated, increasing the risk of flash flooding.

As the day progresses, commuters are advised to exercise extreme caution, allow extra travel time, and heed all official warnings regarding waterlogged roads and closed underpasses. With more rain on the horizon, the UAE braces for a challenging end to the week.