A videograb shows the cat clinging on to the door of a car in Dubai.

Dubai Police search and rescue team saved a cat from drowning in floodwaters in the emirate after a storm dumps record rain across the UAE and floods Dubai's airport.

Images released on social media showed the Dubai Police rescuing a cat hanging onto the door of a vehicle partially submerged in floodwaters following record rain.

Giant highways were clogged by flooding and airport passengers were urged to stay away as the glitzy financial centre reeled from the rainfall.

The rain began late Monday, soaking the sands and roadways of Dubai with some 20 millimeters (0.79 inches) of rain, according to meteorological data collected at Dubai International Airport. The storms intensified around 9 am local on Tuesday and continued throughout the day, dumping more rain and hail onto the overwhelmed city.

By the end of Tuesday, more than 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) of rain at Dubai International Airport, a hub for the long-haul carrier Emirates.

At the airport, standing water lapped on taxiways as aircraft landed. Arrivals were halted Tuesday night, and passengers struggled to reach terminals through the floodwater covering surrounding roads.