Sayyid Shihab tours areas damaged during Tropical Cyclone Shaheen

Muscat: HH Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, went on a field tour of areas stricken during the recent tropical cyclone /Shaheen/ in the governorates of North Al Batinah and South Al Batinah. There, he visited deployment sites of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) and other departments of the Defence Ministry.

He took note of the progress of work in containing the impacts of the climatic condition.

Sayyid Shihab was accompanied during the tour by Dr Mohammed Nassir al Zaabi, Secretary General at the Ministry of Defence, Brig Abdulaziz Abdullah al Mantheri, Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the SAF Operations and Planning, Chairman of the main military committee for management of emergencies, SAF.

As part of the mission conducted by the National Commission for Emergency Management (NCEM), HH Sayyid Shihab listened to a briefing about the tasks and roles of the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) in securing and maintaining marine safety in the stricken coastal areas, as well as aspects of support extended by the RNO to all sectors entrusted with search, rescue and medical evacuation.

At the NCEM Command in the Wilayat of Al Suwaiq, HH Sayyid Shihab listened to a briefing presented by Maj Gen Abdullah Ali al Harthy, Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs for Operations, Chairman of the NCEM. The briefing highlighted the national efforts made by the NCEM.

Maj Gen Al Harthy spoke about the volume of the damage and the roles of different sectors taking part in the restoration of normalcy to the affected areas.

Then, HH Sayyid Shihab visited the premises of the Military Committee for Management of Emergency in the South Al Batinah governorate.

The report outlined the latest impacts of the tropical condition and the efforts exerted to serve citizens and residents through the operations of the SAF.

HH Sayyid Shihab headed to the military committee’s premises in the North Al Batinah Governorate. There, he was briefed about the efforts of the SAF in cooperation with other departments to alleviate the impacts of the cyclone, including supply, transportation and distribution of commodities, as well as the transportation of citizens, medical evacuation, rescue and support operations meant to lend support to government departments there.

At the conclusion of the tour, HH Sayyid Shihab was taken on a surveillance flight, which gave him an understanding about the volume of damage in the wilayats of Al Suwaiq and Al Kabourah.

HH Sayyid Shihab commended the efforts exerted by all military parties and government establishments while addressing the aftermath of tropical cyclone Shaheen.

He hailed the high level of collaboration to bring back life to normal in the affected areas in the governorates of North Al Batinah and South Al Batinah.

He valued the extent to which all capacities and capabilities have been accorded to the service of citizens and residents in the two governorates.

HH Sayyid Shihab lauded the vital roles of the NCEM, the Military Committee for Management of Emergencies, their sub-committees and the SAF and exalted the great sacrifices made in service of the homeland.

HH Sayyid Shihab urged all to double their efforts towards the restoration of normalcy to the stricken areas and the preservation of the Sultanate’s achievements made under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik, notably the care and attention accorded to Omani citizens and residents on Oman’s land. –ONA