Readiness minimised damage

“He was suffering from internal bleeding after he was hit. On Wednesday he passed away. I saw him two hours before the incident when he left his house. For what he did, it’s a national duty and everyone should take the initiative to help others.

“Inshallah, he is a martyr, as he was doing the duty for his nation. He was a very polite and lovable person.

“He always remained with his parents, serving and helping them all the time,” added Saeed Al Mahri

His funeral procession in Thumrait attracted crowds of people. Tributes have poured in on social media, with the hashtag ‘Martryr, Hassan Al Mahri’ trending, as people from across Oman paid tribute to another local hero who displayed exceptional courage during the storm.

Cyclone Mekunu hit Oman during the last week of May, after weeks of buildup in the Indian Ocean. Mekunu reached its zenith at around 11pm on May 25 with wind gusts of 180kph, torrential rains, thunderstorms and eight-foot waves.

Timely preparation from Oman’s National Committee for Civil Defence, which began its emergency plan two weeks ago, was credited for so few deaths occurring in Oman.

However, roads have been damaged, some homes were flooded, and trees and communication poles were toppled by the cyclone.

Officials noted that the restoration of services took only 192 hours.

Beginning May 27, the authorities launched a coordinated response that fixed 100 per cent of the affected roads, brought power back to 98 per cent of Dhofar and restored 98 per cent of all communications within just eight days.

The Sultanate’s impressive display is expected to serve as a blueprint for countries around the world looking to effectively respond to natural hazards.