THIS is the shocking moment Dubai’s Burj Khalifa is struck by lightning as a supercell storm ravages the Gulf city.
Dramatic video shows a huge lightning rod illuminating the night sky as it hits .
The shocking moment Dubai’s Burj Khalifa is struck by lightning in a huge desert stormCredit: X/Dubai Media Office
Bright lightning forks through the sky and strikes the world’s tallest buildingCredit: X/@ImminentCrash
Some residents even reported seeing purple or violet lightning, which can be caused by dust or sandCredit: AFP
Footage of the storm shows the bright crackling as it is diverted through the safety system of the 2,717ft building.
The Burj Khalifa is the city’s iconic 163-floor tower which has held the title of the tallest in the world since it opened in 2010.
Enormous streaks of light fork through the sky in videos taken by awed residents.
A huge desert to the expat city, as the UAE .
Clips of the terrifying circulated online after the skyscraper was struck last night.
Floods also filled the streets, with photos showing vehicles stranded.
Some residents even reported seeing strange orange and purple lightning.
Orange lightning is caused by dust or sand scattering blue wavelengths of light and purple or violet lightning is caused by the presence of certain atmospheric gases.
The huge storm swept in from west of the Gulf city late on Thursday, pushing further inland throughout Friday.
Heavy rain and stormy conditions are expected to continue to cause chaos into the start of the weekend.
Travel has been heavily disrupted, with roads slowing to crawling pace as residents were warned to drive slowly in the harsh conditions.
Many taxi services have stopped altogether or are facing serious delays, and food delivery services were seriously impacted.
Delivery apps and Talabat showed all to be closed last night in the chaos.
People cross a street through floodwaters after heavy rains in DubaiCredit: AFP
Vehicles are stuck on a flooded Dubai street after the downpourCredit: AP
Many delivery services were stopped or seriously delayed by the stormCredit: AFP
And residents were warned to stay away from beaches, flood-prone areas and mountains.
Authorities denied false reports of a cyclone, but strong winds ripped across the region.
Passengers trying to fly from the city were advised to allow more time to get to the airport.
It comes as Dubai airport saw .
The Burj Khalifa itself was in the first days of the war as the rogue nation lashed out at its Gulf neighbours.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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