Driving through overflowing wadis or playing near water bodies during adverse weather conditions is a crime punishable by imprisonment and other legal measures, according to the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA).
The majority of accidents and casualties during rains have been attributed to reckless driving through wadis, failure to take necessary precautions, or disregarding warnings from authorities.
“Driving across an overflowing wadi, jeopardising the lives of oneself and others, will invite legal action. We strongly advise everyone to follow the instructions issued by the authorities,” a CDAA spokesperson told the Observer. The CDAA is closely monitoring weather conditions with Oman Meteorology and is prepared to respond accordingly.
Intentionally risking lives during flash floods can result in punitive actions, including fines and vehicle retention, depending on the severity of the offense. Numerous violations were reported during the recent rains, which claimed four lives in Wadi Tanuf, Wilayat of Nizwa.
The victims, part of a 16-member multinational hiking group, were swept away by sudden heavy rains. Among the deceased were an Omani citizen and three Arab nationals. One injured person remains in critical condition. The Royal Oman Police (ROP) confirmed that the injured were airlifted to Nizwa Hospital for emergency treatment.
The ROP and the CDAA, through social media updates, reported that they assisted people stranded in the rains and vehicles trapped in flash floods during the heavy downpour on Thursday and Friday, which disrupted life in the governorate and surrounding areas.
Officials swiftly responded, towing vehicles from the mud and managing traffic as many signals failed during the rains and subsequent floods.
According to the National Strategy for Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change for the Sultanate of Oman (2020-2040), urban expansion in Oman often fails to adequately consider the risks of flooding.
Floods have posed a serious threat to urban areas and infrastructure, including government and private properties, transportation systems, and power and water supplies. Oman has been implementing remedial measures whenever adverse weather conditions are forecast.
“Over the last two decades, we have been constructing new drainage systems, upgrading existing ones, elevating roads prone to flash floods, and building new check dams to mitigate the losses and damages caused by rains,” said a spokesperson from the Dams division.
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