Dubai Reopens Beaches, Parks, and Markets Following Heavy Rainfall

City Returns to Normalcy After Historic Downpour

Dubai Municipality confirmed the reopening of all public beaches, parks, and open-air markets on Friday, December 19, 2025, signaling a return to normal activities across the emirate. The decision followed a period of severe weather that brought heavy rainfall and widespread flooding to the United Arab Emirates.

The closures were implemented as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety during what was described as some of the heaviest rainfall in Dubai's history. The UAE experienced its most intense rainstorm in over 76 years, with continuous rainfall into Friday causing significant waterlogging in streets and disrupting daily life.

Impact of Unstable Weather Conditions

The unstable weather, which included heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds, led to various disruptions across Dubai and other emirates. These included:

• Water-logged streets and traffic slowdowns.
• Temporary suspension of some intercity transport services.
• Warnings for residents to limit travel and stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.
• Temporary closure of public parks, beaches, and outdoor venues.

Global Village, a popular multicultural family destination, also temporarily closed on Thursday due to the unstable weather but resumed operations on Friday, December 19.

Coordinated Emergency Response

In response to the severe weather, Dubai Municipality activated a comprehensive emergency response system. The municipality deployed a significant workforce, including 2,280 field workers and supervisors, 392 engineers, and 55 call center staff, to manage rain-related incidents.

Key measures undertaken by the authorities included:

• Conducting preventive and technical checks on stormwater drainage networks across Dubai.
• Constructing six temporary lakes with a combined storage capacity of up to 600,000 cubic meters to alleviate pressure on primary networks and manage rainwater runoff efficiently.
• Dubai Police maintained round-the-clock operations to manage traffic and ensure public safety.

Safety Advisory Remains in Effect

While activities are returning to normal, Dubai Municipality urged residents and visitors to 'continue adhering to safety measures'. This advisory comes as the emirate recovers from the significant weather event, with authorities working diligently to restore full normalcy. Abu Dhabi also followed suit, reopening its public parks and beaches as conditions improved.