Dubai, United Arab Emirates - The United Arab Emirates and neighboring Oman experienced heavy rainfall on Tuesday, resulting in widespread flooding and disruptions across the region. In Dubai, major highways were submerged, forcing commuters to abandon their vehicles, while the city-state's bustling international airport briefly came to a halt. In Oman, the death toll from the heavy flooding rose to 18, with several others still missing.

The rainfall began overnight, transforming the typically dry streets of Dubai into massive ponds. Strong winds added to the chaos, causing flight disruptions at Dubai International Airport, the busiest airport in the world for international travel. The airport announced a temporary suspension of all operations for about 25 minutes, diverting all arrivals until the weather improved.

By evening, an astonishing 4.75 inches of rainfall had drenched the UAE, a quantity that is typically expected over an entire year in this desert nation. And there was more rain to come. Emergency personnel and police were seen maneuvering carefully through flooded streets, their emergency lights flashing amidst vibrant lightning bolts. The iconic Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, served as a dramatic backdrop for the storm's lightning display.

Ahead of the storm, schools across the UAE were closed, and many government employees worked remotely. Despite the precautions, some unfortunate individuals found themselves stranded in their vehicles due to unexpectedly deep floods on certain roads. Authorities dispatched tanker trucks to pump away floodwaters, which even inundated some homes, forcing residents to resort to buckets and pails for relief.

Rainfall is a rare occurrence in the arid UAE, and the lack of drainage systems exacerbates the flooding when it does happen. This prompted the deployment of tanker trucks to tackle the situation. The neighboring countries of Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia also experienced some precipitation during this weather event.

Meanwhile, in Oman, heavy rains have proven to be devastating. The country, located on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, reported a death toll of 18, according to the National Committee for Emergency Management. Among the victims were approximately 10 schoolchildren who were swept away in a vehicle along with an adult.

These severe weather events serve as a reminder of the impact of climate change. Climatologists have long warned that human-driven climate change leads to more extreme and unpredictable weather patterns which are observed globally.

Parts of southern Russia and Central Asia have also been grappling with excessive rainfall and snowmelt, resulting in the evacuation of tens of thousands of people and causing the deaths of over 60 individuals in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

As the UAE and Oman grapple with the aftermath of these heavy rains, efforts to assess the damage and provide support to affected communities are underway.