The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is still grappling with the aftermath of a record-breaking storm that struck earlier this week, bringing much of the country to a standstill.

In Dubai, operations at the airport, a major travel hub, remain disrupted after the storm flooded the runway on Tuesday, leading to flight diversions, delays, and cancellations.

As of Thursday morning, inbound flights at Terminal 1, used by foreign carriers, have resumed at the airport. However, flights continue to experience delays and disruptions.

Emirates, the largest carrier at the airport, announced that passenger check-in services in Dubai would resume at 9 a.m. local time on Thursday, delayed by nine hours from the initially planned midnight restart.

The airport faced challenges in providing food to stranded passengers as nearby roads were blocked by floodwaters. Overcrowding also limited access to those with confirmed bookings.

The storm, which initially hit neighboring Oman on Sunday before reaching the UAE on Tuesday, resulted in flooded roads and prolonged gridlock as rainwater inundated homes. One fatality was reported in the UAE, with 20 casualties in Oman.

Residents were trapped in traffic, offices, and homes as the UAE experienced its heaviest rainfall in the 75 years of recorded history, according to authorities.

In response, government employees and students were advised to stay home while efforts were made to clear waterlogged roads.

Climate experts attribute the intensification of such storms to rising temperatures linked to human-induced climate change. The increased availability of moisture in the air amplifies storm systems, leading to more extreme weather events.

Researchers warn that climate change may bring about heightened temperatures, elevated humidity levels, and an increased risk of flooding in the Gulf region.

The UAE government agency responsible for cloud seeding, a method of enhancing rainfall, denied conducting any such operations before the storm.

President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a statement urging authorities to assess the damage and provide support to affected families.

Furthermore, the Pakistan embassy in the UAE established a helpline center to assist citizens impacted by the weather. Pakistani nationals in Dubai and the northern Emirates were encouraged to contact the embassy for assistance via WhatsApp or telephone.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, directed embassy staff to extend all possible assistance to the affected Pakistani community members. Additionally, the Pakistani Consul-General in Dubai formed a special team to visit the airport and provide support to stranded Pakistanis.