Four people die due to weather conditions

A total of four people have died in the past 24 hours from incidents related to the ongoing weather conditions, the Search and Rescue sector at the National Emergency Management Committee said on Sunday.
The Search and Rescue sector stated that among the recorded deaths were two citizens, who were swept away after their vehicle was trapped in a wadi in Wadi Al Maawil, Al Batinah South Governorate. Their bodies were recovered later.
The sector also noted that a vehicle carrying ten people was swept away in Barkah, Al Batinah South Governorate. Seven people were rescued, two were found dead, while the search is on for one missing person.
Meanwhile, the Emergency Management Subcommittees in the governorates of Al Dakhiliyah, Al Sharqiyah North, Al Sharqiyah South and Al Dhahirah, held meetings to discuss the latest developments regarding the weather condition (Al Masarrat Depression) currently affecting the Sultanate of Oman.
The committees discussed their preparedness and assessed the readiness of various sectors within the emergency management system and the National Emergency Management Centre. They also discussed the continued activation of emergency plans for essential services, ensuring the readiness of shelters, specifying deployment points for ambulance and rescue teams, and preparing to reopen roads and ensure smooth traffic flow in the governorates in accordance with directives issued by the National Emergency Management Centre.
MORE RAINS
Several governorates are experiencing cloud cover and development of thunder cells on Sunday, particularly the governorates of Al Dakhiliyah, Al Wusta and Al Dhahirah.
Thunder clouds are expected to move northeastward towards the Al Hajar Mountains in the coming hours. Areas bordering the Al Hajar Mountains are expected to experience rainfall of varying intensities.
Mohammed bin Ali al Mashaikhi, a meteorologist at the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), said that rains are expected in the governorates of Al Dhahirah, Al Dakhiliyah and Al Sharqiyah North, as well as parts of the Al Hajar Mountains extending from Al Batinah North and Al Batinah South to Al Sharqiyah North, and the governorates of Muscat and Al Wusta.
He noted that the governorates of Muscat, Al Dhahirah, Al Dakhiliyah, Al Sharqiyah North, Al Batinah South, Musandam, Al Buraimi, Al Sharqiyah South and Al Wusta are expected to experience rainfall of varying intensity and torrential downpours on Monday, accompanied by hail, which may cause flash flooding in wadis.
He added that the rains will be accompanied by downdrafts ranging in speed from 15 to 50 knots, and reduced horizontal visibility, which may be completely obscured at times during rainfall. He also noted that the Dhofar Governorate will experience scattered rainfall of varying intensity and occasionally thundershowers. — ONA