Residents of Dubai had to push their cars to safetythrough high water on Tuesday night ｜ GETTY

Record rainfall in the United Arab Emirateshas deluged Dubai's airport, flooding homes and metro stations in the desert city.

Dubai international airport, one of the world's busiest, diverted flights as the rainsflooded the tarmac and urged passengers tostay away. The downpour left some streetsand homes waist deep in water.

The Emirati news agency WAM said onepart of the country saw a record 25cm ofrain: a year and half's worth in a single day.

An SUV struggles through raging waters ｜ AP/JON GAMBRELL

The country has experienced more frequent storms over the past few years,which many attribute to climate changeand its practice of "cloud seeding" —dispersing chemicals in the air to condenseclouds. The effectiveness of efforts to makerain, however, has been questioned.