Torrential rains lash across northern Oman

Muscat: Heavy rainfall, accompanied by downdraft winds and hailstones, pounded several parts of the northern governorates of the Sultanate of Oman early this morning, causing wadis to overflow.

The impact zone of this weather system is expected to gradually encompass other governorates, including South al Batinah, Muscat, Al Dakhiliyah, South al Sharqiyah, and North al Sharqiyah. Some wilayats in North and South al Batinah experienced thundershowers accompanied by hailstones, notably including the Wilayat of al Musana, al Suwaiq, and al Khaboura.

In response to the heavy rains and wadi flooding, some directorates general of Education decided to suspend classes today as a precautionary measure. The Royal Oman Police (ROP) reported major floods in wadis, disrupting traffic in several wilayats. Notably, Wadi Indam overflowed, blocking the Izki-Sinaw road, prompting the ROP to urge motorists to exercise caution and avoid crossing flooded areas until the water levels recede.

Nama Electricity Distribution issued alerts advising subscribers to keep children away from poles, stations, transformers, and boxes, emphasizing the importance of moving away from any malfunction or emergency and contacting emergency services on 1011.

Fresh alerts from the Oman Met warned of strong winds across all governorates, particularly in coastal areas such as the Sea of Oman, Musandam, and desert regions. Reduced visibility due to dust and sand stirred up by winds prompted advisories to minimize outdoor activities, wear masks, and protect eyes with glasses.

Wilayats including Sohar, Saham, Al Khaboura, and Al Suwaiq experienced heavy rainfall, leading to the flow of several wadis and streams, including Wadi Al Halti, Wadi Haybi, and Wadi Aahin in the Wilayat of Sohar, Wadi Bani Omar and Wadi Al Mahmoam in the Wilayat of Saham, and Wadi Shafan and Wadi Al Sarimi in the Wilayat of Al Khaboura, as well as Wadi Al Badaiah in the Wilayat.

Thursday:

* Variable rainfall ranging from 20 to 50 mm expected, with chances of wadi overflow and hail in northern governorates.

* Rainfall to begin gradually in the morning in Al Buraimi, Al Dhahirah, and North Al Batinah governorates, extending throughout the day to South Al Batinah, Muscat, Al Dakhiliyah, North Ash Sharqiyah, and South Ash Sharqiyah.

* Northwesterly winds blowing at 15 to 35 knots may lead to dust and sand in desert and exposed areas and over coastal regions of the Sea of Oman and Musandam.

* Sea wave heights may reach from 2 meters up to 3.9 meters along the coasts of Musandam Governorate and the Sea of Oman during thundercloud activity.

Friday:

* Cloud formation and scattered rainfall expected over North and South Ash Sharqiyah governorates and central coasts in the morning, weakening by the evening.

* Continued northwesterly winds at 15 to 35 knots may raise dust and sand in desert and exposed areas.

* Sea wave heights anticipated to reach from 2 meters up to 3.5 meters along the coasts of Musandam Governorate and the Sea of Oman during thundercloud activity.

* Temperature drop expected.

Saturday:

* Generally clear skies with chances of low cloud formation over parts of the Sea of Oman coasts.

* Northeasterly winds at 15 to 30 knots may raise dust and sand over coastal areas of the Sea of Oman and northwesterly winds may elevate dust over desert areas.

* Sea wave heights projected to range from 2 meters up to 2.5 meters on most coasts of the Sultanate of Oman.