Severe storms hit Dubai: lightning strikes Burj Khalifa as heavy rain causes flooding across the UAE

Intense storms sweep across the UAE overnight

An unstable weather system moved across the United Arab Emirates, bringing a sudden burst of severe conditions. The change came quickly.

Heavy rain began overnight. Thunder followed. Wind picked up.

Cities across the country, including Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, were hit by intense downpours, frequent lightning and strong winds. Dust rose into the air, reducing visibility.

The sky lit up repeatedly. The sound of thunder rolled across the skyline.

Lightning strikes the Burj Khalifa

In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, one moment stood out.

Lightning struck the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world at 829 meters. The bolt cut through the dark sky, connecting cloud to tower.

The scene was captured in images shared by local authorities. Bright flashes. Sharp contrast against the skyline.

A brief moment, but powerful.

Floodwaters spread across streets and transport routes

As rain intensified, water began to collect across roads and low-lying areas.

Flooding developed overnight in multiple parts of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Streets filled with standing water. Traffic slowed.

In Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, people were seen moving through flooded streets. Water covered sections of the road.

Air travel faced disruption. Passengers were advised to check flight updates before heading to the airport due to changing weather conditions.

The rain fell hard. Then harder.

Emergency response teams move in before dawn

Authorities activated emergency measures as conditions deteriorated.

Police units, pumping crews and recovery teams were deployed early in the morning to manage water buildup and keep key routes open.

“Efforts have intensified to ensure roads remain safe and traffic continues to move," local police said.

Operations focused on clearing water, supporting traffic flow and maintaining access across affected areas.

Strong winds, dust and reduced visibility add to impact

The storm system did not bring rain alone.

Strong winds lifted dust and sand into the air, reducing visibility across parts of the UAE. Conditions shifted rapidly between rain and blowing dust.

Forecast warnings had already highlighted the risk of unstable weather, including rainfall of varying intensity, lightning, thunder and occasional strong winds.

The atmosphere remained active through the night and into early Friday.