Wife of Omani soldier who died during Cyclone Mekunu rescue efforts gives birth

Muscat: Khlaid Al Sawai, a 28-year-old Omani soldier, who died in the line of duty during Cyclone Mekunu, couldn’t wait to see his three-week-old baby boy, Bader.
Al Sawai, died after he lost control of the vehicle he was driving in Madinat Alhaq in the Wilayat of Taqah on June 1, while delivering drinking water to areas struck by the cyclone.
Speaking to the Times of Oman, Khalid’s father Khamis Al Sawai, a resident of the Saih Al Sharqi of Jalan Bani Bu Hasan, in the eastern part of Oman, said that he was proud that his son laid down his life while serving the nation.
“I do not want anything in this life more than to have a martyr son who died for the sake of his nation,” he said.
“We are all happy for the new child, but feeling very sad that he did not ever meet his new baby boy. The happy moments were killed by sadness. I received so much support from everyone, who came in droves and offered condolences,” he added.
“Khalid called me one night before he passed away; asking me to forgive him and to make sure that the family is all well. I told him that it’s an honour to work for the country. He died while he was fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan. What an honour to die in the Holy Month and in the line of duty.
“I received a call from the battalion where my son was working, but they didn’t tell me that Khalid had died. Only after two hours did they tell me, as they were concerned that something might happen to me, because they knew that I lost another son in a tragic road accident.
“Hamad, the three-year-old, the eldest son [of Khalid], always keeps asking about his father. It is very tormenting. It’s so hard to grow up without a dad.
“My son got married, along with his brother, Yasir, who was killed, with his wife and child, in a tragic road accident two years ago.
Khalid Al Sawai served for nine years in the army, according to his father. Another young Omani also died two weeks ago from injuries he received while working to rescue stranded motorists during Cyclone Mekunu, raising the death toll to seven.
Hassan Al Mahri was attempting to tow two vehicles to safety during the second day of the storm, when the tow truck’s iron hook was torn from a vehicle and struck him in the head.
Cyclone Mekunu reached Oman during the last week of May, after weeks of building up in the Indian Ocean.
Mekunu reached its zenith at around 11pm on May 25 with wind gusts of 180 kph, torrential rains, thunderstorms and eight-foot waves.
Early preparation from Oman’s National Committee for Civil Defence, which began its emergency plan two weeks before the storm reached Oman, was credited for fewer deaths in Oman.
However, roads have been damaged, some homes were flooded, and trees and telephone poles were toppled by the cyclone. Officials noted that the restoration of services took only 192 hours.
Beginning May 27, the authorities launched a coordinated response that repaired 100 per cent of the damaged roads, brought power back to 98 per cent of Dhofar and restored 98 per cent of all communications within just eight days.
The Sultanate’s impressive display is expected to serve as a blueprint for countries around the world looking to effectively respond to natural hazards.