Tidying up cyclone mess

@kabeeryousef -

Thousands of volunteers from across the Sultanate along with personnel of Sultan’s Armed Forced on Friday took part in a national campaign to clean up Al Khaburah and Al Suwaiq — the wilayats in North Al Batinah ravaged by a cyclone Shaheen that claimed 12 lives.

As the appeal to join voluntary work in North Batinah went viral, people from all walks of life poured in from various governorates as far as Dhofar to remove debris and offer essential supplies to people.

"We are witnessing some heart-warming scenes coming in from both North and South Batinah today as more citizens, expats and organisations, from all over Oman reached out to help the cyclone affected families in Suwaiq, Khabourah, Barka and Musanah and began to clean the affected areas and offer food and other supplies," Nawal al Zadjali, a social worker told the Observer.

Companies, organisations, socio- cultural associations, social media influencers and the like under the umbrella of Oman Charitable Association rendered help to those in need. "Our trucks with relief materials reached people in need and distributed provisions to these families," a representative of Huawei said.

"The dusty roads leading to Khabourah and Mussanah are packed with vehicles carrying provisions and people to help the citizens and residents of these areas," said Najeeb K Moideen of WhatsApp group Accidents and Demises.

"We registered online with the Ministry of Social Development to carry out rehabilitation works," another social worker said.

There are still hundreds of houses which are unlivable with interiors caked in layers of mud and dirt. The roads and premises are littered with scores of damaged vehicles, uprooted trees and animal carcasses.

Speaking to Oman TV, Major Muhammad bin Salam al Hashami, spokesperson for National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) said 80 per cent communications in Khaboura has been restored while it is 75 per cent for Suwaiq. He also said work is underway to assess the damages in basic services and repair them as soon as possible.

(With inputs from ONA)