WATCH: Dubai lashed by heavy rain, thunder and lightning

UAE authorities on Tuesday urged the public to remain indoors amid severe storms that have disrupted routine and business life.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said people should only leave their homes in “extreme necessity” in a safety alert.

Dubai Airports said 17 flights were cancelled on Tuesday due to the weather.

Weather warnings remain in place after large parts of the UAE were lashed by torrential rain and thunderstorms in the early hours of Tuesday.

The government of Dubai has extended remote working for employees until Wednesday, while private schools in the emirate have also been directed to continue remote learning. Private sector entities, too, have been urged to adopt remote working for an additional day to ensure safety.

Heavy downpours were recorded in Abu Dhabi and Dubai shortly after midnight as thunder awoke people in the cities and lightning lit up the skies.

Intense rain continued in Dubai for several hours on Tuesday morning in what weather experts warned was the “first wave” of stormy weather set for the Emirates during the day.

Conditions eased later in the morning before the Emirates was hit by a fresh flurry of rainfall shortly before 3pm.

Widespread flooding was reported on roads due to the continued rainfall, while flights in and out of Dubai International Airport were experiencing delays.

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority advised motorists using Al Asayel Street and First Al Khail Street, coming from Business Bay towards Jebel Ali, to use alternative routes such as Al Khail Road and Sheikh Zayed Road.

The authority also warned of expected delays on Umm Suqeim street, with drivers asked to travel on Hessa Street instead.

Traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road was earlier brought to a standstill as rainwater flooded stretches of the motorway.

The RTA said it had response teams in place to deal with disruption caused by the persistent rain.