Severe weather hits UAE and Oman: thunderstorms, large hail and severe flooding

Low pressure area passing from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman to southeastern Iran produced thunderstorms, fierce winds, large hail and severe flooding on March 9, 2016. The storm system is expected to advance to the north across Afghanistan and Pakistan this week.

The sky over UAE darkened as the storm hit Abu Dhabi, the country's capital, at about 07:30 UTC, blowing down trees and lampposts and causing severe flooding. Videos that emerged shortly after showed cars submerged in water, debris flying through air and damage to buildings.

Widespread #thunderstorms and #flooding in #UAE and #Oman #Sharjah #Dubai #AbuDhabi #desertstorm @barrabest pic.twitter.com/4WbprA7D49

— Met Man Belfast (@Met_Man_Belfast) March 9, 2016

Woah! Hail the size of 1 Dirham fell at 4.30 am near Khalifa Park in #AbuDhabi #UAE pic.twitter.com/nHqqnOK0Cl

— Radio Mirchi UAE (@RadioMirchiUAE) March 9, 2016

Dubai's Remraam complex was among the hardest hit. Management advised residents to turn off electricity to avoid any chance of electric shock, The National reported.

Remraam, Dubai flooded on March 9, 2016. Image credit: David Benson / The National

Hello Dubai? Wassup ? #Dubai #JabelAli #DubaiWeather #UAE pic.twitter.com/mdOzxAnBQV

— Saad Subzwari ⛄ (@saadsubzwari) March 9, 2016

According to the National Center of Seismology and Meteorology, over 240 mm  (9.45 inches) of rain was recorded in Dubai while winds of up to 126 km/h (78.3 mph) battered the capital.

Abu Dhabi's international airport and stock exchange were closed, and construction work halted.

Weather situation over the Middle East on March 9, 2016. Image credit: NASA Aqua/MODIS

Schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai were also closed and will remain closed tomorrow, according to government agencies. Some educational institutions in neighboring Oman will also be shut Thursday.

According to AccuWeather meteorologists, widespread rainfall is expected in Afghanistan and Pakistan starting Thursday with the heaviest rain falling in southern and eastern Afghanistan and northern and western Pakistan.

Flooding targets the #UAE, #Iran, #Oman this week https://t.co/nYZmGvghYU pic.twitter.com/IgufXnhts1

— AccuWeather.com (@breakingweather) March 7, 2016

"Flash flooding and mudslides are a concern across the region," AccuWeather's Eric Leister warns. "Rainfall will average 25-75 mm (1-3 inches) with local amounts up to 125 mm (5 inches) through Sunday, March 13." 

"While the threat for rainfall will diminish in southern Pakistan and southwestern Afghanistan on Sunday, another storm approaching from the west will continue the threat for downpours and flooding in northern parts of the both countries into next week," Leister said. "Downpours will spread into northern India late this week with the greatest threat for flooding across Punjab as well as Jammu and Kashmir. These areas can get up to 75 mm (3 inches) of rain on Saturday and Sunday."

Video below shows a compilation of weather imagery captured on March 8 in Oman:

Video courtesy Davisito de Zabedroskyᴴᴰ

Featured image credit: Weather situation over UAE on March 9, 2016. Image credit: NASA Aqua/MODIS