Airport chaos, sleeping in metro stations, no running water: Dubai's flood mayhem continues

The United Arab Emirates continues to reel from floods caused by the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in the desert state, with airlines, banks, and city transport facing major disruptions and service outages.

Roughly a year's worth of rain pummeled the normally bone-dry Gulf country in a span of just 12 hours. And in many homes and businesses across Dubai and other emirates, running water and power are no longer functioning.

"The shower isn't working." "Can't flush the toilet." "Nothing is coming out of the taps." Those and other similar messages flooded Whatsapp groups in Dubai on Wednesday and Thursday, as many residents living in villas found themselves stuck inside, more than a foot of water flooding the roads outside their houses and submerging their cars.

One widely-shared message urged: "DO NOT walk through flooded areas and DO NOT touch metallic objects on the ground while in water," warning of electric shocks. Still, with their cars out of commission and taxis avoiding flooded areas, some residents who ran out of food ventured out to buy groceries anyway.

"Wear trainers and shorts and bring a backpack to carry your food back," one resident of the upmarket Al Manara residential neighborhood advised. Video footage from some neighborhoods showed locals on surfboards and even jet skis to get around. Beiruti Flame Grill, a local Lebanese restaurant, was one of many Dubai businesses completely submerged — its staff are using a raft to get around the neighborhood.

"Some friends of ours have lost almost everything — houses up to waist in water. Been horrible for lots of people," one resident, who declined to be named due to professional restrictions, told CNBC.

For others, the weather disaster brought out the best in their