Storm warning: It is illegal to post 'irresponsible' pictures of storms online, Dubai authorities say

Posting negative images or rumours about the recent flooding in the United Arab Emirates could be punished under the country's cybercrime laws

Pictures of lightning striking buildings may be illegal under United Arab Emirates cybercrime laws

It is illegal to post pictures of storms online, authorities in the United Arab Emirates have warned.

Posting negative images or rumours about the recent flooding could be punished under the country's cybercrime laws, the interior ministry said.

Damaging the country's reputation online is punishable imprisonment and a fine of up to 1m Emirati Dirhams (£189,500), the International Business Times reported.

Cars are seen stuck in a flooded street in Dubai on 10 March, 2016 one day after a heavy rain storm hit the desert Gulf state, causing flights to be suspended and flooding roads (ALI KHALIL/AFP/Getty Images)

Men are seen pushing a car through a flooded street in Dubai (Reuters)

Officials said people were "spreading rumours" and behaving "irresponsibly" on social media.

Heavy rain storms hit the gulf state earlier this week, flooding roads and causing flights to be cancelled.

Many have shared pictures of flooded roads and cars submerged in water.