Dubai witnessed a dramatic weather moment on Thursday when lightning struck the tip of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, amid heavy rain that lashed parts of the United Arab Emirates.
Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum shared a video capturing the rare sight. The footage shows the Burj Khalifa standing in a green, cloud-filled sky as a bolt of lightning reaches its peak.
The video was shared hours after the crown prince urged residents to prepare for the rainy days ahead. On Wednesday, Sheikh Hamdan posted Instagram Reels showing rain-laden clouds slowly drifting over sand dunes, followed by a weather map depicting the movement of the clouds over the coming days.
According to the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), the United Arab Emirates entered the peak of the “Al Bashayer” depression on Thursday, December 18.
Parts of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah also experienced heavy rain and hail on Thursday.
“The UAE is affected by an unstable weather situation due to the extension of a surface low pressure system originating from the Red Sea. This will result in cloud formations of different heights, leading to precipitation of different intensities accompanied by lightning, thunder and a risk of hail over limited areas.”
Authorities advised residents to stay informed of official weather alerts and take necessary precautions in case of unstable conditions.
