The death toll from severe flooding that hit the United Arab Emirates, Omanand other Gulf countries rose to almost 20 on Tuesday, with homes and businesses across the Gulf damaged by the heavy rains, and flights delayed or cancelled.
In Al Ain, an Emirati oasis city on the border with Oman, 254mm of rain was recorded in less than 24 hours, according to the national meteorology centre. That marked the highest level since records began in 1949.
An Emirati man in his 70s died after his vehicle was caught in the flooding in Ras Al-Khaimah, one of the country’s seven emirates, according to police.
The storms also hit Bahrain and parts of Qatar, days after flooding devastated neighbouring Oman.
Across Sunday and Monday, 18 people died in Oman as a result of heavy rain. Among the dead were at least nine schoolchildren, according to Oman News Agency.