Friday 03 / May / 2024
Muscat: Three children were found dead while more than hundred people were rescued by the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) as heavy rains lashed the Sultanate of Oman on Monday, throwing normal life out of gear.
Flash floods were reported in some parts of the country as the depression brought in rains and thunderstorms across Oman.
Due to the current climatic conditions, study in government, private and international schools will be suspended on Tuesday in all governorates, except Dhofar, Musandam and Al Wusta. Classes will resume on Wednesday.
The search and rescue teams managed to recover the bodies of three children who were swept away into the Wadi Bani Ghafir stream in Rustaq.
Officials said that 108 people were rescued from Yanqul, while one person was rescued from Buraimi and another from Muscat.
Altogether 4 people, including 3 children in Rustaq were missing when the last reports came in.
Rescue teams from the CDAA in the North Al Batinah Governorate responded to a report of 118 people being stranded in a specialised physical therapy centre as a result of the high water levels.
The centre was evacuated and they were transferred to health institutions to monitor their health conditions.
The CDAA also rescued a person who was stranded in his vehicle in Al Buraimi Governorate.
The CDAA also said that a vehicle with two people inside drifted in Yanqul, while the rescue teams from the CDAA in Al Dhahirah were able to save a person, search is on for the other missing person.
In Muscat, the rescue teams saved a person who was stuck inside his vehicle in a pool of water in the Wilayat of Seeb.
The Wilayat of Dibba in Musandam Governorate received the highest amount of rainfall in the Sultanate of Oman amounting to 140 millimetres on Monday.
According to the data showed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, the Wilayat of Dibba received 140 mm of rainfall until 4 pm on Monday, followed by the Wilayat of Barka in South Al Batinah Governorate with 110 mm and the Wilayat of Al Buraimi with 103 mm.
While the Wilayat of Mahdha in Al Buraimi Governorate recorded 88 mm of rainfall, 76 mm in the Wilayat of Shinas located in North Al Batinah Governorate, 74 mm in each of the Wilayat of Sunaynah in Al Buraimi Governorate and in the Wilayat of Madha in Musandam Governorate and 70 mm in the Wilayat of Saham in North Al Batinah Governorate.
The Wilayat of Khasab in Musandam Governorate received 66 mm of rainfall, 55 mm in each Wilayats of Sohar and Yanqul and 52 mm in the Wilayat of Liwa.
Over 25,000 appointments rescheduled
Meanwhile the Ministry of Health rescheduled more than 25,000 appointments that include visits to outpatient clinics, non-emergency appointments and operations, laboratory tests and other health service appointments that were postponed due to the current climatic conditions on Monday.
The Ministry of Health affirmed that patients and their safety top its priority. The ministry also seeks to meet patients’ health, preventive and therapeutic needs.
Outlook for Tuesday
In its 24 hour outlook, the meteorology department said chances of heavy rain, hail and fresh wind may cause flash floods over Musandam, North Al Batinah, South Al Batinah, Al Buraimi, Al Dhahirah, Muscat, Al Dakhyliah, North Al Sharqiyah, and South Al Sharqiyah governorates and the coastal areas of Al Wusta and Dhofar on Tuesday.
Exercise caution
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) called on citizens and residents to exercise caution during thunderstorms, not to cross valleys, avoid low-lying places, and not to go to the sea during the warning period.
The CDAA has urged people to stay at home and not step out except for emergencies during heavy rains.
