Exceptional weather: Heavy rains, thunderstorms hit UAE and surrounding nations as death toll in Oman flooding rises to 18

Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm. The rains began overnight, leaving massive ponds on streets as whipping winds disrupted flights at Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel and the home of the long-haul carrier Emirates. (Reuters photo)

Police and emergency personnel drove slowly through the flooded streets, their emergency lights flashing across the darkened morning. Lightning flashed across the sky, occasionally touching the tip of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. (Reuters photo)

Schools across the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms, largely shut ahead of the storm and government employees were largely working remotely if able. Many workers stayed home as well, though some ventured out, with the unfortunate stalling out their vehicles in deeper-than-expected water covering some roads. (Reuters photo)

Authorities sent tanker trucks out into the streets and highways to pump away the water. Rain is unusual in the UAE, an arid, Arabian Peninsula nation, but occurs periodically during the cooler winter months. Many roads and other areas lack drainage given the lack of regular rainfall, causing flooding. (Reuters photo)

Initial estimates suggested over 30 millimeters (1 inch) of rain fell over the morning in Dubai, with as much as 128 mm (5 inches) of rain expected throughout the day. Rain also fell in Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

In neighboring Oman, a sultanate that rests on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, at least 18 people had been killed in heavy rains in recent days, according to a statement Tuesday from the country's National Committee for Emergency Management. (Reuters photo)

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have urged residents to stay at home after large parts of the region was lashed by torrential rain, hail and thunderstorms on Tuesday. schools have shifted to online classes and government employees have been asked to work from home. (AP photo)

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has asked residents of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah that they should prepare themselves for unsettled weather conditions over the next 48 hours, with heavy rainfall expected in these areas till Wednesday, Khaleej Times reported today. (AP photo)

Heavy to moderate rain, thunder and lightning were seen across the UAE on Monday night and Adverse weather conditions are expected to continue into Wednesday morning, with convective clouds that bring rainfall and lightning forming over coastal areas - particularly in the north and east of the country, the weather department predicted. (Reuters)

Concurrently, the Ras Al Khaimah Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Team has decided to implement remote learning for schools over a two-day period, specifically on Tuesday and Wednesday, due to the expected weather conditions. Moreover, the RAK Public Services Department has announced the temporary closure of all parks and beaches within the city until further notice. (AP photo)