"Safety is the responsibility of every individual, and together we can safeguard our society", said the Civil Defence and Ambulances Authority (CDAA) official, urging that any action that puts the life of oneself or others at risk would amount to a crime and be subject to legal action.
"Venturing into overflowing water bodies or wadis during adverse weather conditions is a crime, and safety is a shared responsibility. This also includes driving across an overflowing wadi, putting oneself and others in danger, which will invite legal action. All are advised to follow the instructions issued by the authorities," a CDAA spokesperson told the Observer.
"Driving through wadis or playing near water bodies during inclement weather conditions is a crime punishable by imprisonment and other legal procedures," he added.
According to a report by National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), it has been found that most accidents and casualties during rains are caused by irresponsible behaviours of people ignoring the authorities' warnings.
Intentionally driving through flash floods would invite punitive actions, including fines and vehicle retention, depending on the nature of the offence. Many such offences were reported during past incidents of rain.
The Royal Oman Police (ROP) and the Civil Defence and Ambulances Authority (CDAA) said in their social media posts that they are prepared to ensure the safety of people and property.
Over the years, floods have posed a serious threat to urban areas and infrastructure such as government and private properties, transportation systems, and power and water supply. Oman has been taking remedial measures as adverse weather conditions are forecasted.
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