‘WE ARE WORKING HAND-IN-HAND’ TO HELP DHOFAR: COL.

Forces have joined hands to restore road, power and telecom services, says Colonel Ali Ba Sadiq

Times News Service

MUSCAT:

For the first time since Cyclone Mekunu struck Dhofar, officials in the governorate have outlined the damage and restoration work as a result of its impact on the telecom, transport, oil & gas and electricity sectors.

Salalah continues to remain cut-off from Muscat by road, with the Thumrait-Nizwa highway currently inaccessible, according to authorities.

In an exclusive interview to the Times of Oman, Colonel Ali Ba Sadiq, Vice-Chairman of the Subcommittee for Civil Defence, said, “Salalah is cut off from Muscat via the main Thumrait-Nizwa road, which passes through wilayat Muqshin, which has turned into a lake as a result of high water levels.”

Sadiq added, “A number of people are still in shelters, while others have returned to their homes. The shelters will remain open until water and all basic services are fully restored. At the other sites, efforts are still being made to remove debris and to cater to the water and food needs of all, in cooperation with the army, police and municipal carriers. Everyone is working hand-in-hand to make the lives of residents easier.”

He added: “To deliver relief to these areas, the Royal Air Force of Oman has equipped aircraft with large loads of cargo to transport supplies and patients, and generators to operate water plants.”

“As for the eastern side of the governorate, roads are better and most of them are open; work to remove debris from the road, such as rocks and dust, still continues, and it will be repaired as soon as possible,” Sadiq added.

He also said: “At the rest of the sites, efforts are still being made by everyone to repair the damage and to solve the water and food needs in cooperation with the army, police and municipal carriers.”