Alert for heavy rains continue in Oman

Muscat: Thundershowers are expected during the afternoon and evening hours affecting gradually parts of North al Batinah, South al Batinah, Al Dhahira, South of Muscat, Al Wusta, and Dhofar and later over the governorates of South al Shargiyah, North al Shargiyah and parts of Al Dakhyliah.

Heavy rains have lashed the governorates of North and South Al Sharqiyah, parts of Al Dakhiliyah, and Al Wusta, accompanied by active downward winds and occasional hail on Tuesday.

In the Governorate of Muscat, parts of the Wilayat of Al Amerat witnessed heavy thunderstorms accompanied by hail, which led to the flow of wadis.

Earlier, Oman Meteorology said there are chances of rain of varying intensity accompanied by active downwind and hail in the governorates of South and North al Sharqiyah and parts of Muscat and Al Dakhiliyah in the range of 20 to 60 mm, and relatively less and sporadic rains around Hajar Mountains (North and South al Batinah, Al Buraimi and Al Dhahirah) and parts of Al Wusta and Dhofar.

The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) authorities have called for the necessity of not leaving children alone during heavy rains and not trying to swim in valleys, and risk crossing them.

CDAA has deployed field teams to deal directly with reports as a result of the effects of the rain.

During the past two days, police aircraft transported 45 citizens from a village in the North al Sharqiyah Governorate, as a result of the heavy rains and the flow of torrential valleys that caused the interruption of traffic.

On Monday, rains of varying intensity fell on parts of Al Dakhiliyah Governorate (Samail and Al Jabal Al Akhdar), Muscat Governorate (Quriyat ), and North al Sharqiyah (Ibra and Al Mudhaibi).

On Tuesday, Rustaq, Ibra, Dima and Al Tayin, Al Awabi, and Wadi Bani Kharus witnessed heavy rains that led to the flow of wadis in a number of areas.

The Civil Aviation Authority called on everyone to take caution during thunderstorms, not to cross valleys, avoid low places, and not go to the sea during the warning period.

1. Heavy rainfalls expected in the range of 20-60 mm which may lead to flash floods.

2. Strong downdrafts with a speed of 15 to 50 kt (28-90 km/h).

3. Poor horizontal visibility due to dust rising during thundershowers

Oman Meteorology said the Sultanate of Oman will continue to be affected by the air trough in the coming days, which will continue till Friday with the peak of its impact on Tuesday and Wednesday.