Wednesday 18 / December / 2024
Muscat: Severe weather conditions in Oman have resulted in one death and several rescues, according to Royal Oman Police (ROP) on Tuesday.
A low-pressure system originating from the Sea of Oman brought heavy rainfall to the northern governorates, causing significant disruptions and dangers.
On Tuesday, widespread cloud cover and rain were reported across most of the Sultanate, with particular intensity over the Al Hajar Mountains and Dhofar Governorate.
This weather pattern led to the flow of wadis in some areas, resulting in dangerous conditions.
The Royal Oman Police (ROP) announced the tragic death of a child after a vehicle carrying five people was swept away by floodwaters in Wadi Andam on the Izki-Sinaw road. While the child was found dead, the other four occupants were rescued and transported to Ibra Referral Hospital via police ambulance.
In another incident, the police aviation department pressed their helicopter to conduct a dawn rescue operation for two individuals trapped in Wadi Bani Hani in the Wilayat of Rustaq. They were safely transported to a secure location.
The ROP has urged the public to exercise caution and avoid crossing flooded valleys. It urges residents to stay informed and heed all safety advisories.
The Met Department’s forecast for the next two days indicates that the severe weather is likely to continue.
Over the past two days, the Wilayats of Samail and Al Buraimi recorded the highest rainfall at 39 mm, followed by Sohar and Al Hamra at 35 mm each, and Wilayat of Muhadha at 28 mm, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources.
For August 7, 2024 (Wednesday), partly cloudy to cloudy skies are expected over the rest of the governorates, with chances of isolated rain of varying intensity, occasionally accompanied by thundershowers and downdraft winds over the Al Hajar Mountains and adjoining areas, as well as the coastal areas of the Sea of Oman. The coast of Dhofar Governorate and adjoining mountains are likely to experience intermittent drizzle and chances of isolated rain with occasional thundershowers.
There is also a chance of dust rising over desert and open areas, and low-level cloud patches are expected along parts of the coastal areas of the Arabian Sea.
For August 8, 2024 (Thursday), similar conditions are anticipated, with partly cloudy to cloudy skies along the coast of Dhofar Governorate and adjoining mountains with intermittent drizzle and chances of isolated rain, occasionally thundershowers. The rest of the governorates may also see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with chances of isolated thundershowers accompanied by downdraft winds and hail over the Al Hajar Mountains, extending to the adjoining areas and over the South Al Sharqiyah Governorate. Dust rising is again possible over desert and open areas, with low-level cloud patches expected along parts of the coastal areas of the Arabian Sea and Oman Sea.
