All parts of Muscat and the northern governorate received heavy rains and thundershowers.
Traffic slowed down in various parts of the city as motorists were hampered by poor visibility and flooded road. The rescue team of Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) stepped in various places to help any stranded motorists or pedestrians, especially in areas adjacent to overflowing wadis and water streams. The Civil Defence and Ambulance Department in Al Mudhaibi found the body of a drowned Omani in Wadi Kabbarah in Al Aflaj area in the Wilayat of Al Mudhaibi, ONA reported. The department managed to rescue two others who were trapped at the same flooded wadi.
Regardless of early warnings, PACDA official were still put to task to rescue people stranded in wadis. Heavy rains and flowing wadis were also reported from Buraimi with reports of the main road to Sohar being waterlogged due following rains. Despite the clear skies for the most part of the morning and afternoon yesterday, Royal Oman Police and Oman Meteorology were firm in their forecast the heavy rains will lash most part of the northern govenorates by evening, which ultimately turned to be true. Most office goers left for home by late afternoon to avoid travelling in wet conditions.
“My HR manager gave instructions that offices may be shut down as weather updates were continuously released through the online and social media,” said Santosh Kurian, employed with a construction firm in Ghala Industrial Estate. In an official statement, weather analysis of the National Multi Hazard Early Warning Center said that the effects of the upper air trough will continue for the coming four days. Chance of thundershowers associated with fresh wind, hail and flash floods are expected over the governorates of Muscat, Musandam, Al Buraimi, Al Dhahira, North and South Al Batinah, Al Dakhiliya and North and South Al Sharqiyah until Friday.
GOVT SCHOOLS CLOSED TODAY
The Ministry of Education said all government schools in the Sultanate, except in Dhofar and Al Wusta, will remain closed on Wednesday due to adverse weather condition.
Source: OmanObserver