Abu Dhabi/Dubai — Heavy rain and thunderstorms continued to batter parts of the United Arab Emirates on Friday, disrupting air travel, road traffic and daily life, as authorities urged residents to remain indoors and avoid flood-prone areas amid unstable weather conditions.

Major airlines Emirates and flydubai said they had cancelled or rescheduled several flights due to the severe weather, advising passengers to check flight status before heading to airports. Road traffic was also affected in multiple emirates, with waterlogging reported in low-lying areas.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) called on private sector companies in affected areas to implement remote working arrangements on December 19 to ensure employee safety. In Abu Dhabi, authorities announced the suspension of community events as a precautionary measure.

In a tragic incident, a 27-year-old Indian expatriate, identified as Salman Fariz, died in Ras Al Khaimah after a wall collapsed during the heavy rains, local media reported.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) warned that unstable weather conditions are expected to persist, forecasting continued rainfall and thunderstorms across the country. The authority also cautioned against the risk of hail, strong winds, blowing dust and reduced visibility, as well as rough sea conditions in coastal areas.

Authorities have reiterated calls for the public to follow official advisories, limit non-essential travel and exercise caution, particularly near wadis and construction sites, as the weather system continues to affect the UAE.