Trekking can be fatal if guidelines not followed
Published: 05:08 PM,Aug 25,2024 | EDITED : 07:08 PM,Aug 26,2024
Oman has been a favourite destination for trekkers not just from within the country, but also for some tourists who specifically come to undertake treks. The Royal Oman Police's announcement of four hikers losing lives has sent shock waves among all adventure lovers, especially mountain climbers.
Four people, including a citizen, lost their lives after five of them were swept away in Wadi Tanuf in Nizwa following heavy rains.
Three of the dead were Arab nationalities while one person was seriously injured. They were part of an international mountain hiking group They were transported by a police aircraft to Nizwa Referral Hospital.
It may be noted that Saturday's incident was a result of heavy rains in the area, which led to flash floods and wadi flows.
According to Civil Defence and Ambulances Authority (CDAA), trekking or hiking can be dangerous if not conducted without following guidelines, especially during rains or turbulent weather conditions where there are chances of flash floods in some places.
Hiking in the Sultanate is done by individuals or in groups amateurs or veterans.
CDAA has emphasized the need to be cautious when going to these places and adhere to safety instructions to avoid accidents from falling from heights, injury, or death.
CDAA also urged mountain climbers to use the NDAA application which will help them to contact emergency services at the earliest.
The safety procedures include choosing the right trail for your fitness level, familiarizing yourself with the trail, informing relatives of the route and location, wearing the right footwear, checking the weather forecasts, using headlamps and flashlights, having extra clothing, water, matches/lighter/candles, sun protection, navigation systems, first-aid supplies.
CDAA said that mountain hikers must be accompanied by a guide who leads the group and is trained in providing first aid.
Saturday's incident is not the first of its kind.
Earlier, a woman hiker died after she fell off a cliff in the Saih al Ahmar area in the Wilayat of Bidbid in Dakhliyah Governorate.
In a separate incident, a woman was injured after she fell from a mountain-top while hiking in Jebel Shams.
There was a report of a woman falling and sustaining an injury during mountain hiking in the Wilayat of Tiwi.
A woman in her 40s fell to her death from a height of 150 metres at Jebel Wadi Shab while on a trip along with her friend and she slipped while trying to climb the mountain.
In several such cases, police aviation had to be deployed to use helicopters to airlift the injured or stranded trekkers from rugged terrains.
Four people, including a citizen, lost their lives after five of them were swept away in Wadi Tanuf in Nizwa following heavy rains.
Three of the dead were Arab nationalities while one person was seriously injured. They were part of an international mountain hiking group They were transported by a police aircraft to Nizwa Referral Hospital.
It may be noted that Saturday's incident was a result of heavy rains in the area, which led to flash floods and wadi flows.
According to Civil Defence and Ambulances Authority (CDAA), trekking or hiking can be dangerous if not conducted without following guidelines, especially during rains or turbulent weather conditions where there are chances of flash floods in some places.
Hiking in the Sultanate is done by individuals or in groups amateurs or veterans.
CDAA has emphasized the need to be cautious when going to these places and adhere to safety instructions to avoid accidents from falling from heights, injury, or death.
CDAA also urged mountain climbers to use the NDAA application which will help them to contact emergency services at the earliest.
The safety procedures include choosing the right trail for your fitness level, familiarizing yourself with the trail, informing relatives of the route and location, wearing the right footwear, checking the weather forecasts, using headlamps and flashlights, having extra clothing, water, matches/lighter/candles, sun protection, navigation systems, first-aid supplies.
CDAA said that mountain hikers must be accompanied by a guide who leads the group and is trained in providing first aid.
Saturday's incident is not the first of its kind.
Earlier, a woman hiker died after she fell off a cliff in the Saih al Ahmar area in the Wilayat of Bidbid in Dakhliyah Governorate.
In a separate incident, a woman was injured after she fell from a mountain-top while hiking in Jebel Shams.
There was a report of a woman falling and sustaining an injury during mountain hiking in the Wilayat of Tiwi.
A woman in her 40s fell to her death from a height of 150 metres at Jebel Wadi Shab while on a trip along with her friend and she slipped while trying to climb the mountain.
In several such cases, police aviation had to be deployed to use helicopters to airlift the injured or stranded trekkers from rugged terrains.