Oman Rains: Don’t cross flooded wadis, venture out during thundershowers

Energy Sunday 10/November/2019 20:52 PM
By: Times News Service

Muscat: Emergency services in Oman have asked people to exercise caution in the wake of thundershowers over several areas in the north of the country.
Watch: Several parts of Oman receive rainfall

The advice comes in the wake of tropical depression Haya having caused many wadis in the country to overflow, leading to vehicles being swept away, while paramedics have had to attend to people who have been hurt by lightning strikes. In addition, they have to rescue people who have been stranded or affected by the floods caused due to the rainwater.
At least one family needed emergency services after they were stuck in a car, while roads such as the Ibri-Rustaq road have had to be monitored by the Royal Oman Police due to the flooding caused by heavy rainfall. It also dislodged rocks from the surrounding mountainous areas and caused them to fall on the road.
Read here: PACDA teams rescue three stranded motorists in Oman

The Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) has called for residents to take caution while venturing out of their homes and has advised against taking the risk of crossing floooded wadis.
“Continuous heavy thundershowers are expected over Musandam, North Al Batinah, South Al Batinah, Al Buraimi, Al Dakhiliyah, Al Dhahirah and Muscat governorates, which could be accompanied by fresh winds, hail, flash floods and reduction in visibility.”
Hence, the Public Authority for Civil Aviation advises all to take precautions during rainfall and water flows. Check the sea state before sailing and keep monitoring the weather bulletins.” PACA informed in a statement.
In addition, Oman’s Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) have released safety instructions for people in the country to remain safe throughout the deep air depression. “The PACDA requests that civilians not stand close to or under street lights, electric poles and to be aware of dangling cables. The police also insist that low-lying areas should not be walked across if the water is above knee-level and that valleys (wadis) should not be crossed even if the water level is seemingly low,” the statement said.
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As Haya might be accompanied by thundershowers in many parts of the Sultanate, PACDA issued a statement to minimise the damage the rains could cause to citizens and residents in affected areas: “To mitigate and reduce the risks of thunderstorms please follow these instructions and advice as follows: laying down on the ground increases the risks of deadly lightning strike. Avoid working or standing in high places such as hills etc. Disconnect the power from electrical devices to protect them in case of the passage of bolt through the house electrical network. Avoid standing under single or tall trees, telephone or electricity poles, move immediately to the nearest building or a vehicle to get a safe shelter,” the organisation’s advisory note said.