Recent heavy rains and flash floods have wreaked havoc in the Gulf region, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 18 lives in Oman and causing significant travel disruptions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Tragically, among the casualties in Oman were nine schoolchildren and their driver, who were swept away by floodwaters in Samad A’Shan. The National Committee for Emergency Management is actively searching for two individuals who remain missing.
In response to the severe weather conditions, the Omani government granted administrative staff a day off and encouraged remote work in various provinces. Residents were advised to seek shelter if they felt unsafe or were instructed to do so by authorities.
Police and soldiers were dispatched to Ash Sharqiyah North, the province hit hardest by the floods, to assist in evacuating citizens from flooded areas.
Flooding in the UAE
Simultaneously, heavy rainfall in the UAE led to flooding on major highways and the abandonment of vehicles in Dubai. The downpour, accompanied by strong winds, disrupted flights at Dubai International Airport.
Prior to the storm, schools closed across the country, and government employees transitioned to remote work. Tanker trucks were deployed to pump water off the streets and highways, as some unfortunate individuals found themselves stranded in deep water on the roads.
Initial reports indicated that Dubai received over 30mm of rain in the morning, with forecasts predicting up to 128mm throughout the day. Rainfall was also reported in Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
Source from www.aljazeera.com