Four rescued from drowning as heavy rains continue

Four were people rescued in Al Hamra by rescue teams from the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA), when the vehicle was washed away in a wadi in the Wilayat of Al Hamra on Tuesday. The CDAA warned against crossing running wadis as heavy rains are expected in most governorates of the Sultanate of Oman.

Satellite photos showed the cumulative rain clouds over the coasts of South Al Sharqiyah and Muscat governorates, and chances of scattered rain.

There has been flow of rain clouds over parts of the coasts of Al Wusta and Dhofar, with the presence of clouds of different heights on the Al Wusta and the Al Sharqiyah South.

Monsoon clouds activity on the coasts and mountains of Dhofar continued.

Motorists have been warned not to cross wadis as flash floods are expected.

By Tuesday afternoon, the activity of local cloud formations and rainfall of varying intensity was experienced, accompanied by active winds, on the central and western Hajar Mountains (the governorates of Al Dakhiliyah, Al Dhahirah and South Al Batinah) in conjunction with the incursion of rain clouds over parts of the governorates of North and South Al Sharqiyah and Muscat.

By 3 pm, Tuesday afternoon the activity of cumulus clouds continued with thunderstorms of varying intensity. As it has been accompanied by downward wind there are chances in a decrease in horizontal visibility due to rising of the dust.

The Met Office warned that this could be a challenge especially in the mountainous areas of Al Buraimi, Al Dhahirah, Al Dakhiliyah and North Al Sharqiyah.

The weather forecast for Wednesday from Met Office stated there would be cloudy skies over Al Dhahirah, North Al Batinah, South Al Batinah, Muscat, North Al Sharqiyah, South Al Sharqiyah and Al Wusta governorates with chances of isolated variable rain. Chances of convective clouds development and isolated rain occasionally thundershowers associated with downdraft and hail are expected over Al Hajar Mountains and adjoining areas towards afternoon. Partly cloudy skies along the coastal areas of Dhofar Governorate and adjoining mountains with intermittent drizzle and chance of isolated rain. There are chances of late night to early morning low level clouds over parts of Arabian Sea and Sea of Oman coasts as well as chance of blowing dust over desert and open areas.

@lakshmioman