Oman weather: Six rescued from wadi in Quriyat

Muscat: Heavy rain fell in different parts of Oman, disrupting traffic on Friday and Saturday, and resulting in overflowing of wadis. Six people had to be rescued after they found themselves trapped inside their vehicle in Quriyat, Muscat, according to the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA). Officials said the vehicle was stranded in the flowing wadi waters. All six are now in good health. “Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds hit normal life in different parts of Oman. The residents in Rustaq, Barka, Seeb, Hail and Sur were particularly affected,” Bader Ali Al Baddaei, an administrator of www.rthmc.net, a local Web-based forum that discusses weather in Oman, told the Times of Oman. Mohammed Fahad, a resident in Barka, said rain started late in the afternoon and continued until late night. “Wadis were overflowing in many places. We dropped our plans to visit the Muscat Festival as it was raining and windy. Many of my relatives in Rustaq said there was hailstorm, too, in some areas,” Fahad added. Meanwhile, the Oman Meteorology Department has predicted more rain in the coming two days and the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance advised people to remain cautious during rain and drive safely during rainfall. In a pictorial message, the PACDA advised people, especially children, to stay away from overflowing wadis and water.