FOURTEEN DEAD AS OMAN HIT BY HEAVY RAIN AND FLASH FLOODS
Cars swept away and pupils evacuated with downpours forecast to continue until tomorrow
At least 14 people were killed and five reported missing after heavy rain on Sunday caused devastating floods in Oman.
The sultanate’s National Committee for Emergency Management announced yesterday that two people who had been reported missing during the flooding at the weekend in the country’s North Al Sharqiyah province have been found alive.
In response to the adverse weather, educational authorities yesterday announced the suspension of classes in all public, private and foreign schools in several provinces.
Private universities and vocational colleges supervised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation held classes online.
The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority said all of those rescued were in good health.
The NCEM said at least nine of the deaths had resulted from vehicles being swept away by overflowing valleys and flash floods.
More than 1,000 people were moved from a school in Al Mudhaibi district of North Al Sharqiyah on Sunday as water levels rose.
Education ministry spokesman Dr Ali Al Jahouri said people were killed while evacuating pupils from the school’s classrooms.
The flood water did not reach the school grounds, he added.
Omani Police are conducting land and air operations to rescue people trapped in flooded areas, including valleys.
Police helicopters on Sunday worked to help people who were trapped, transport the injured to hospital and search for those reported missing.
Nasser Al Ismaili, acting director of the weather forecast department and early warning system at the Civil Aviation Authority, warned that heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, strong winds and hail were expected across several provinces of Oman yesterday.
The National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Centre said heavy rainfall was expected to continue until tomorrow.
It forecast 30mm to 120mm of rain, as well as flooding around the country.
Waves off the country’s coasts are expected to reach heights of two to three metres.
The Civil Aviation Authority has advised all residents to take the necessary precautions.
Authorities said at least nine people were killed when vehicles were swept away by the flash floods