Rains hit life, throws traffic out of gear

Traffic was thrown out of gear and many low lying areas were flooded on Tuesday as heavy thundershowers pounded many governorates in the northern part of the Sultanate of Oman due to Al Azm low pressure. Some were left stranded and rescued.

Weather Forecaster at Oman Met Office, Bushara al Saadi, said Muscat received over 46mm of rainfall in Muscat, Liwa 17mm, Mahdha 19mm, Suhar 15mm and Al Amerat over 13mm in the last 24 hours. We are expecting 30 to 50mm in the governorates of North and South Al Batinah, Al Dhahirah, Al Dakhiliyah, Muscat and Al Buraimi. What is expected is thundershowers with the fresh downward wind with flash floods.”

The Royal Oman Police had to close a number of roads in the Governorate of Muscat to ensure the safety of people during the heavy rains. They urged commuters going to Al Amerat via the Wadi Adrian route to be aware of the rocks on the road brought down by rainwater.

The road from Al Athaiba to the wilayat of Muscat had been blocked due to the downpour, and motorists were urged to use alternative routes.

There was the suspension of bus service on all routes within the Muscat Governorate as well as all intercity bus routes in all governorates of the Sultanate of Oman except Dhofar

CMA Alert

Meanwhile, the Capital Market Authority (CMA) called on citizens, residents, property owners and owners of industrial establishments and shops to adhere to instructions during rains to ensure the safety of their properties.

CMA stated, “Not following the instructions of the Royal Oman Police may lead to the loss of the right of the policyholder from compensation in the event it is proven that the damage to the vehicle resulted from a deliberate act committed by the driver.”

Many hotspots came into being with calls rushing out to Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority.