11 die, 3 missing as heavy rains lash Oman during Eid Al Adha holidays

Muscat: Eleven deaths were reported due to heavy rains, fast-paced waters in the wadis and giant sea waves in the beach areas during the Eid Al-Adha holidays in different governorates in Oman. Besides, three persons are reported missing.

The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) said that two expatriates drowned in Wadi Darbat.

Their bodies were found by the search operations team. Besides, in Mughsail Beach area, an Asian family of eight people was trapped in massive waves after they crossed the safety barrier.

Three of them were rescued, two were found dead and three are still missing, including two children.

Following the heavy rains, a number of valleys in the Sultanate witnessed torrential floods which swept away children and adults alike. Some were rescued while some died.

In Sohar, a vehicle carrying two people was swept away, which led to occupants’ death, and two expatriates drowned in a valley in the Wilayat of Quriyat. A 17-year-old expatriate died in Wadi Al Hoqain in Rustaq while 6 children were caught in Wadi Andam in Al Mudhaibi. Five of them were rescued while one died. Three other children were swept away in a wadi in Ibri. Two of them were, however rescued while one died.

As a result of repeated accidents and non-compliance with the instructions, the CDAA announced the closure of all tourist sites affected by the weather conditions on the second day of Eid.

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) announced the closure of the roads leading to Wadi Darbat, Ain Athum and Ain Jerzeez due to heavy rains, swift current in various wadis in Dhofar governorate .

The CDAA has also cautioned that a majority of drowning cases occur in dams, ponds, water springs, beaches, valleys, water channels and streams. It has also asked the people not to go swimming at non-designated sites, to follow the instructions and to monitor the activities of their children during such outings.

The commission’s teams were also deployed in various governorates to secure the sites frequented by tourists and to provide advice and guidance to them.