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A wave of heavy rainfall across the United Arab Emirates has prompted major food delivery platforms to temporarily pause or slow down operations as safety concerns mount for delivery riders navigating rain-soaked roads.
Unstable weather linked to a low-pressure system has brought scattered showers, strong winds, thunder and reduced visibility to parts of the country, particularly affecting Dubai, Sharjah and surrounding regions. The National Centre of Meteorology warns that these conditions are expected to persist in some areas through Friday, with intermittent showers possible over the coming weekend.
Against this backdrop, popular food delivery apps including Talabat, Deliveroo, Careem and Noon have restricted services in the worst-affected areas. Many users have reported that when opening their apps, nearby restaurants and outlet options appear limited or unavailable, and orders cannot be placed until conditions improve.
Two-wheeler riders, who make up the bulk of last-mile deliveries, are especially vulnerable to slick roads, poor visibility and flooded underpasses, leading platforms to halt deliveries proactively rather than risk accidents. Real-time weather and road data are being used to dynamically monitor conditions and adjust service availability.
In-app notifications are being issued to inform customers of service pauses and longer wait times where deliveries are still accepted. In some zones, delivery radius limits have been reduced to avoid longer trips in hazardous conditions, while riders are encouraged to log off voluntarily if conditions worsen.
With Dubai government entities shifting to remote work on Friday amid unstable weather and the private sector urged to follow suit, more residents are expected to stay indoors and potentially increase demand on food delivery apps already struggling with paused or slowed services.
Unstable weather
Dubai Police issued a public safety alert on Thursday evening urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and remain at home until at least midday on Friday, December 19, as adverse conditions and scattered rainfall linger across the emirate.
The UAE has been experiencing significant weather fluctuations this week, with intermittent showers, thunderstorms, and safety advisories issued by authorities as the unstable system moves through the region.
