Rare heavy rain shuts UAE schools, disrupts flights

Schools in the United Arab Emirates were ordered to shut on Wednesday after rare heavy rain hit the desert Gulf state, causing flights to be suspended and flooding roads.

Education authorities said schools will stay closed on Thursday also as the thundery weather is expected to persist.

Flights at Abu Dhabi airport resumed on Wednesday afternoon after being suspended earlier in the day, and Dubai International also experienced delays, aviation authorities said.

Images posted on social media showed vehicles half-submerged in flooded streets in Abu Dhabi.

The weather agency in the UAE, which ranks among the world`s 10 driest countries, said more rain is expected on Thursday.

ak/srm