MUSCAT: Heavy rains of varying intensity accompanied by strong winds continue to lash the governorate of Muscat and parts of South Al Batinah and Al Dakhiliyah as a direct effect of the tropical cyclone Shaheen on Sunday morning.
According to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the centre of cyclone Shaheen may cross between the wilayats of Musannah in South Al Batinah Governorate and Saham in North Al Batinah Governorate on Sunday between 5 pm and 8 pm.
The direct impact will begin during the next few hours in the governorates of North Al Batinah, Al Dhahirah, Al Buraimi and Al Dakhiliyah with high-speed winds of 45 to 60 knots and very heavy rain in the range of 200 to 500 mm.
According to information, dozens of people have been reportedly rescued by the CDAA in different areas in the governorate. Rescue teams managed to rescue seven people due to rainwater entering their house in the Wilayat of Muttrah.
At 8.45 am on Sunday, two people were rescued in Azaiba after they were stranded inside their vehicle. “They are all in good condition”, said statement from CDAA.
According to the latest weather update issued by Oman Met shows that the cyclone is currently stationed at 24.4 degrees latitude north and 59.3 degrees longitude east.
The center of the tropical cyclone is about 60 km from Muscat. The wind speed around the center is estimated at 65 to 75 knots.
A mountain collapsed at 9.30 am due to heavy rains in the Al-Wattiah area behind Al-Nahdha Press. “No casualties including any human or material losses are reported”, CDAA said.
Evacuation of patients from Al Nahda Hospital started at 7.45 am on Sunday in anticipation of rise in the water level. Wadis of Edai and Khuwair in Muscat Governorate were hit with flash floods.
At the same, time traffic has been cut off on Sultan Qaboos Road, Ministries District and opposite Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque Road.
Qurum Commercial Complex has been closed, while residents are also evacuated from surrounding areas due to the gradual rise in the water level.
"Qurum Commercial District is closed as a result of gradual rise in water levels. Evacuation was necessary as the surrounding houses could be inundated", said a statement from National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM).
Meanwhile, Oman Air has rescheduled 10 flights to an earlier departure time “as a precautionary measure due to Cyclone Shaheen.”
According to Oman Air, 6 flights to India have been rescheduled, while two flights to Bangladesh will be rescheduled to an earlier time.
Oman News Agency quoting an announcement of the National Committee for Emergency Management said there has been a break in the transmission line feeding Seeb tanks from Barka.
“There has been fluctuation of the feeding stations in Barka. Seeb tanks will be fed from the Al Ghubra pumping station”, NCEM said.
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