Muscat: Many parts of the Sultanate of Oman are experiencing heavy rainfall, and authorities are urging the public to be cautious of rockslides. The weather forecaster at Oman Met Office has predicted that rains will continue until Saturday, with the highest rainfall expected to occur in Al Sharqiyah North and South and Al Dakhiliyah.
"Cumulus clouds started forming over parts of the mountainous regions of the North Al Batinah, Al Dhahirah, South Al Batinah, Al Dakhiliyah and Muscat, with chances for cloud expansion and occasional sporadic thunderstorms (accompanied by active winds and hail) extending to include the governorates of North Sharqiyah, South Sharqiyah and Al Wusta later," said Oman's weather agency on Thursday.
There have already been reports of rockslides on roads in Nizwa, so people need to take extra care. Hail and downdraft winds are also expected, along with heavy rain, according to the forecaster. The local cloud formations over Al Hajar Mountains are contributing to rains.
Nizwa has recorded the highest amount of rainfall so far, with 35 mm until 6.30 pm on Wednesday. However, other stations are yet to report their records. Many people were seen collecting hailstones, while some unconfirmed images of a snowman made out of hailstones in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar have caused more excitement about the weather in the country.
A weather expert at Oman Met Office revealed that the strongest hailstorm was in Qurayat, and the most hailstones were reported in Wadi Bani Ghafir in Al Rustaq. It was made of hailstones rather than water, which is quite rare. Heavy rains were also reported in Sinaw and Wadi Mistal in Nakhal was spectacular.
Overflowing wadis have cut off roads in Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan, so it is essential to take caution while travelling. The rainfall is expected to range between 20 mm to 60 mm, but some places are forecasting up to 90 mm.
The wind is expected to be north to northeasterly light to moderate along the Sea of Oman coast, while over the rest of the governorates and Arabian Sea coasts, winds will be southerly to southwesterly light to moderate occasionally fresh over parts of the coastal areas of and desert and open areas. Due to strong winds, there is also a chance of dust rising over desert and open areas.
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