Heavy rains trigger major flash floods across Oman
Heavy rainfall caused major flash floods across Oman on Sunday, April 14, 2024, leading to at least 13 fatalities and 3 people missing.
Severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall hit Oman on Sunday, April 14, causing major flash floods in several governorates including Muscat, North Al Batinah, South Al Batinah, South Al Sharqiyah, North Al Sharqiyah, Al Dhahirah, and Al Dakhiliyah.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Wealth & Water Resources, Wadi Bani Khalid was the worst affected — with 145 mm (5.7 inches) of rainfall, followed by al Qabil with 91 mm (3.58 inches) in 24 hours to 08:00 LT on April 15.
🌧️ توزيع هطول الأمطار على عدد من ولايات سلطنة عُمان خلال الفترة من 14-15 أبريل 2024م (حتى الساعة 8 صباحاً).#منخفض_المطير pic.twitter.com/49eKUhb0kz
— وزارة الثروة الزراعية والسمكية وموارد المياه (@MAFWR_OM) April 15, 2024
The Royal Oman Police reported multiple rescues of families and children trapped in Wadis due to the floods, while the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation ordered schools and colleges to operate remotely on Monday, April 15.
According to Khaleej Times, Wadi Samad Al Shan witnessed an unprecedented surge in water levels and breached the premises of Rawda School located in the Al Ghazal area, trapping people inside the building. Vehicles parked nearby have been swept away by the floodwaters, the paper reported.
13 people were found dead while search efforts are still ongoing for three other people, including a child, the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) reported early Monday morning.
According to the National Committee for Emergency Management, the deceased include nine students, two residents, and an expatriate. The Committee had issued a warning about the potential escalation of unstable weather conditions ahead of the storm, which led to preemptive measures by the government and emergency services.
The Oman Met Department forecasts continuous heavy rainfall on Monday, April 15.
Authorities urged residents to follow official advisories and take necessary precautions to safeguard lives and properties.
طيران الشرطة يُنفذ عملية إنقاذ شخصين إثر انجراف مركبة كانت تُقل مجموعة من الطلبة بمجرى وادي في نيابة سمد الشأن، وجارٍ البحث عن المفقودين الآخرين ونقلهم إلى مستشفى إبراء المرجعي.#شرطة_عمان_السلطانية pic.twitter.com/aVuaL1kh2X
— شرطة عُمان السلطانية (@RoyalOmanPolice) April 14, 2024
Flashflooding due to heavy rainfall in the village of Al Mudaybi, Ash Sharqiyah, Oman 🇴🇲
— DISASTER TRACKER (@DisasterTrackHQ) April 14, 2024
▪︎ 14 April 2024 ▪︎#floods #flooding #flashflooding #Oman #AlMudaybi pic.twitter.com/tywThkz1Va
#BREAKING 🇴🇲| 12 dead, including 9 students in Oman flash flood.
— South Today (@SouthToday5) April 15, 2024
Flooding in #Oman in the #MiddleEast. pic.twitter.com/nA3rJXbcjb
References:
1 Oman flash floods: Schools, colleges to conduct online classes tomorrow – Khaleej Times – April 14, 2024
2 Families, children trapped in vehicles due to flash floods in Oman; rescue efforts underway – Khaleej Times – April 14, 2024
3 Oman: One more missing person found dead as death toll rises to 13 due to heavy rains – Khaleej Times – April 15, 2024
Featured image credit: Disaster Tracker (stillshot)
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