IN A FLASH: OMAN RESCUE TEAMS TACKLE STORM

Schools and colleges have been declared closed for today as more heavy rain has been forecast

Several people were rescued from flooded homes as emergency services battled through a severe storm in Oman overnight.

Schools and colleges were closed and insurance companies warned those found driving though floods would find their insurance cover null and void.

As heavy rains caused flash flooding throughout the Sultanate, the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) rescued five stranded people.

In Al Amerat four citizens were rescued by PACDA after water flooded their home.

A statement by PACDA said, “A team from the Department of Civil Defence and Ambulance in Muscat have been able to rescue four citizens after water flooded their home in Al Muhaj, Al Amerat. The citizens are currently in good health.”

In another case, an expat has been rescued after being stranded in a wadi in Wilayat Diba.

According to authorities, the Asian expat was transported to the hospital after being rescued with slight injuries.

In a statement, PACDA said, “The rescue team from the Department of Civil Defence and Ambulance in the Governorate of Musandam managed to rescue a person of Asian nationality who was stranded in a wadi in wilayat Diba.”

Over the weekend, the Public Authority for Civil Aviation announced that, with nine governorates experiencing areas of lowpressure, the peak effect of the weather system is predicted to be from Saturday evening to Sunday night and that: “Heavy rainfall is expected during the coming 24 hours - to reach 30 to 75 mm over some areas.”