Dubai has begun a massive clean-up after the worst storms in 75 years caused havoc with transport systems, including flights at Dubai International airport.
Record breaking rains caused flights to be cancelled, marooned workers in their offices and closed the local metro system.
Oman, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain were also heavily impacted by the storms.
Dubai recorded a year and a half’s rain in just a few hours, peaking in Al Ain which received 254 mm in less than 24 hours on Tuesday — the highest ever since the records began.
Local reports indicate that in an average year, there is 94.7mm (3.73in) of rain at Dubai international airport, one of the world’s busiest for international flights.
The rains eased on Wednesday, although President Sheikh Mohamed has called for an enquiry into Dubai’s infrastructure and its ability to cope with unprecedented storms, which environmentalists attribute to global warming.