Thursday 09 / January / 2025
Muscat: Several people were rescued from flooded homes as emergency services battled through a severe storm in Oman overnight.
This part of Oman received the highest amount of rainfall
Schools and colleges were closed and insurance companies warned those found driving though floods would find their insurance cover null and void.
As heavy rains caused flash flooding throughout the Sultanate, the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) rescued five stranded people.
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In Al Amerat four citizens were rescued by PACDA after water flooded their home.
A statement by PACDA said, “A team from the Department of Civil Defence and Ambulance in Muscat have been able to rescue four citizens after water flooded their home in Al Muhaj, Al Amerat. The citizens are currently in good health.”
In another case, an expat has been rescued after being stranded in a wadi in Wilayat Diba.
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According to authorities, the Asian expat was transported to the hospital after being rescued with slight injuries.
In a statement, PACDA said, “The rescue team from the Department of Civil Defence and Ambulance in the Governorate of Musandam managed to rescue a person of Asian nationality who was stranded in a wadi in wilayat Diba.”
Over the weekend, the Public Authority for Civil Aviation announced that, with nine governorates experiencing areas of low-pressure, the peak effect of the weather system is predicted to be from Saturday evening to Sunday night and that: “Heavy rainfall is expected during the coming 24 hours - to reach 30 to 75 mm over some areas.”
Oman’s meteorology authority also added that the thundershowers will be accompanied with fresh downdraft winds and some flash floods in the governorates of Muscat, Musandam, Northern Batinah, Southern Batinah, A’Dhakiliyah, Northern and Southern Sharqiyah, Al Dhahirah, and Buraimi.
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On Saturday, the Royal Oman Police revealed that flash floods in numerous areas led to traffic delays, and congestion. Wadis such as Wadi Khalfan in Muttrah, Wadi Al Maqooh in Wilayat Izki, and Wadi Aqah were affected.
Vehicle insurance
The Capital Market Authority has warned that people who cross through wadis on purpose could be putting more than their health at risk, as doing so could nullify the driver’s vehicle insurance.
The authority warns: “Crossing a wadi with a vehicle on purpose could nullify an insured person’s right to financial compensation.
“Dear driver: Crossing on purpose and putting yourself and others at risk, while ignoring Royal Oman Police instructions, could cost you the right to financial compensation, as per your insurance clauses and the unified vehicle insurance, which exempts harm done to the vehicle on purpose.”
Wet and windy weather has led to the closure of Omani schools and other centres of education today as the government takes precautionary measures to ensure the safety of all students and staff.
Public and private schools
In a statement, the Ministry of Education said, “After coordinating with the National Centre for Early Warning of Multiple Risks, the Ministry of Education is announcing that study will be suspended in public and private schools in all governorates of the Sultanate except for the governorates of Dhofar and Al Wusta on Sunday 14 April to resume on Monday, April 15.”
Sultan Qaboos University, Sohar and Nizwa Universities, Rustaq College of Education and all colleges of applied sciences will also be closed tomorrow as well as all schools connected with the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs.
The Indian School Muscat told parents that their day and night classes will be closed, “Please be informed that due to the weather warning, all classes from KG to STD XII (Morning and Afternoon sections) remain closed on Sunday 14th April 2019. The examination scheduled on Sunday 14th April 2019 is postponed. A new date will be intimated later.”
In addition to schools and universities, the Ministry of Social Development announced that all private and public rehabilitation centres, nurseries and children’s centres will not open tomorrow.
The ministry said that this decision encompasses all centres and nurseries throughout the Sultanate with the exemption of the governorates of Dhofar and Al Wusta.
The Royal Oman Police warned citizens and residents to avoid crossing wadis as Oman’s weather worsens.
Exercise caution
In a statement, the police said, “Due to the expected weather conditions affecting the Sultanate in the next few days, the Royal Oman Police urges all citizens and residents to exercise caution during the rain and not to risk crossing Wadis or driving in low visibility.”
The police also stressed the need to “follow the safety instructions in such cases.”
Muscat Municipality also issued a warning for the public to stay away from electricity poles during rainfall.
Read also: Weather expert in Oman issues tips to stay safe during the rain
