RAINS LASH DHOFAR AS CYCLONE INTENSIFIES

The waterlogging in the Wilayat of Sadah and Wadi Rabkout in the Wilayat of Thumrait put traffic to a complete halt.

Rehabilitation camps were set up well in advance at the schools, madrassas and mosques and were supplied with essentials, foods, beds, mats and water thanks to the NGOS and other good Samaritans in Dhofar.

People held Friday prayers at high-lying areas after they were instructed to avoid mosques at low-lying areas. “I have never witnessed a situation like this in my 38 years in Salalah”, says Naser Peringathoor, a businessman in the city.

“For the first time in our lives, we had our iftar in the light of a candle but were not able to pray Taraweeh (the special night prayers) while we prayed for the safety and security of the country and the people here.”

The ROP has sent out strict warning to those who share images and videos of the cyclone Mekunu on social media. “Sending out wrong news or unfounded hearsays or baseless information is an offence punishable with 3 years’ imprisonment RO 3,000 fine or both”, a statement from the ROP said. The civil defence personnel kept watching the overflowing wadis (canals) and put up barricades so that motorists or any other could not cross them, as some of them are located on the regular thoroughfare near Lulu Hypermarket, malls and residential areas. Local community clubs and sports clubs and organisations have also formed groups to help people. Most of the shopping malls are closed due to overflowing wadis. Many coconut and other trees were uprooted even before the actual landfall of the cyclone. The authorities, however, were quick to remove them and restored proper movement of water and vehicles.

Till today morning many people were found rushing to their mountain homes from Salalah, as most of the people chose to travel on Thursday morning itself.

Ali al Sahri, who works in a public sector establishment in Salalah, has a house on Sahal Hamrir Mountain. He said the weather condition on the mountain was better than the plain even though rain is there.

“No waterlogging is one good thing about our mountain dwellings and the impact this time of the cyclone is on the mountain is less. So I chose to come to my ancestral house along with my family. Still I am praying for my friends and relatives staying in the Salalah city.”

Mohammed, who has been relocated to a shelter house from his house in Dahariz, expressed satisfaction over the arrangements at the shelter home.

He, however, is worried about the aftermath of the cyclone and belongings that he has left at home. relief