Sorrowful Sunday

Muscat: It was a sorrowful Sunday for Oman as nine students were among 12 reported dead amid widespread flooding across the country.

The dead included 11 citizens (two adults and nine pupils) and one expatriate in Samad A’Shan.

Search is still going on for the other five missing citizens in the Wilayat of Al Mudhaibi, Governorate of North A’Sharqiyah.

The National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) reported that most of the fatalities occurred due to vehicles being swept away in overflowing wadis and flash floods.

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) shared that the North Al Sharqiyah Governorate Police Command rescued stranded students from a bus breakdown in an overflowing wadi in the Wilayat of Ibra, transporting them safely home.

Additionally, the ROP Aviation Unit conducted eight sorties, rescuing over 35 individuals, providing medical aid, and aiding in search operations.

Multiple patrol and field teams, including those from the Royal Army of Oman and Civil Defence Authority and Ambulance (CDAA), collaborated to rescue students from Al Rawdha School in Al Mudhaibi.

Moreover, CDAA teams, in coordination with authorities, evacuated over 2,000 students from schools in Al Mudhaibi and facilitated the safe evacuation of 10 students from a school in Muscat Governorate.

In Nizwa, CDAA teams rescued 21 students from a stranded school bus in an overflowing wadi.
The entire country grappled with inundation following torrential rains, resulting in widespread flash floods.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) cautioned that most governorates of Oman are likely to experience additional rainfall due to prevailing weather conditions.

Nasser Said Al Ismaili, Acting Director of the Weather Forecast Department and Early Warning System at the Civil Aviation Authority , warned that heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, strong winds, and hailstones, is expected across several governorates on Monday.

Al Ismaili highlighted that rainfall amounts ranging from 30mm to 120mm are anticipated in the governorates of Musandam, Al Buraimi, South Al Batinah, North Al Batinah, A’Dhahirah, A’Dakhiliyah, Muscat, South A’Sharqiyah, and North A’Sharqiyah, in addition to the northern parts of Al Wusta Governorate.

The adverse weather conditions are likely to persist until Wednesday night or Thursday morning (17-18 April 2024).

He emphasised the issuance of weather alerts via cell phones and advised the public to exercise caution, especially avoiding wadis, low-lying areas, and maritime activities due to hazardous sea conditions caused by persistent winds.

Al Ismaili underscored the importance of heeding weather warnings disseminated by the CAA to ensure public safety during adverse weather events.