Heavy rains in Dhofar as storm approaches

As a precautionary measure, the Ministry of Education has decided to close all schools in the governorate in the wake of unstable weather conditions. Salalah College of Applied Sciences also took a similar decision. It may reopen on Monday.

Shaikh al Mundar bin Ahmed al Marhoon, Wali of Sadah, said heavy rains are a cause of concern, but everything has been smooth so far.

Commenting on the preparations to face Luban, Al Marhoon said: “We have been meeting with all the government units. All teams are ready to face the situation. So far, everything is under control. This morning, we went to various areas to look at the current situation and emergency team members are at respective sites.”

He said some people from low lying areas have been evacuated. Schools, which have been converted into shelter homes, are ready to receive them.

“We have many locations to accommodate the evacuees,” he said.

The Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) ensured evacuation of 300 people and shifted them to shelter homes located in the Dhofar Governorate. Among the evacuees are 102 from low lying areas near Mirbat beach and 205 workers in Hasik.

The Civil Defence personnel are fully equipped to handle the situation. They have been provided with all possible rescue equipment and deployed at strategic locations.

The Dhofar Power Company cautioned people not to approach electric columns and transformers at places where there is water logging to avoid electrocution and short circuit. It has circulated the emergency numbers through telecom providers.

Luban is likely to pass the Dhofar Governorate late on Monday or Tuesday morning. It will impact western parts of the governorate such as Rakhyout and Dhalkout.

Dhalkout has been receiving light rain since Saturday morning.