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.

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.