As the UAE continues to grapple with heavy rainfall, a video showing a lightning bolt striking the top of the Burj Khalifa stunned viewers online. The video, shared by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan
bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, captures the world’s tallest building silhouetted against a dark, cloud-filled sky as lightning hits its spire. The clip is accompanied by the sound of pounding rain and thunder.
Sheikh Hamdan shared the video with the hashtag “#Dubai” along with cloud and rain emojis. The lightning strike comes amid widespread thunderstorms across the UAE, with several parts witnessing intense rainfall, strong winds and reduced visibility.
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The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said the country entered the peak phase of the ‘Al Bashayer’ low-pressure system, warning of rain of varying intensity, lightning, thunder and the possibility of hail in some areas.
“The UAE is affected by an unstable weather situation due to an extension of a surface low-pressure system from the Red Sea,” the NCM said, adding that cloud formations at different altitudes were driving the current conditions.
Authorities urged residents to stay indoors, avoid flood-prone areas and limit travel. Emirates and flydubai have cancelled or rescheduled several flights, while Dubai International Airport warned passengers of possible delays and advised them to allow extra travel time or use the Dubai Metro.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) asked private sector companies in affected areas to allow remote work and Abu Dhabi authorities have suspended community events. Heavy rain also led to flooding on streets in Dubai, Sharjah and surrounding areas, with several videos of waterlogged roads circulating on social media.
The NCM warned that unstable weather is likely to continue, with forecasts of further rainfall, thunderstorms, hail, strong winds and dust across the country in the coming days.
