Heavy rains lash Oman

Rains with strong winds stormed across Muscat with varying intensity right after sunset in Muscat on Tuesday.

The active downward winds carried debris and construction materials almost making it impossible for pedestrians to walk.

There was also a decrease in horizontal visibility in parts of the governorates of Muscat and South Al Batinah.

There were thunder cells with continued rain of varying intensity accompanied by active winds and a decrease in horizontal visibility in several areas of Dhofar Governorate. The Empty Quarter also received its share of rain.

At around 5.40 pm on Tuesday, a belt of rain clouds and thunderstorms covered over the governorates of South Al Batinah and Al Dakhiliyah, gradually approaching towards the governorates of Muscat and North Al Sharqiyah, and scattered thunder cells over the governorates of Al Sharqiyah South, Dhofar and Al Wusta.

Earlier, the satellite images had shown clouds currently over the Sultanate of Oman with sporadic rain of varying intensity in parts of the governorates of Musandam, Al Buraimi, Al Dhahirah, North Al Batinah, South Al Batinah, Al Dakhiliyah and Dhofar, and is expected to extend in the coming hours to the rest of the governorates.

Many of the places experienced hailstones with flowing of wadis.

Active northerly to northwesterly winds have been blowing with a speed of 20-25 knots over most of the governorates of the Sultanate of Oman, which has also resulted in rising dust.

A low level of horizontal visibility has been reported.

In regards to sea state, high sea waves, moderate to rough, ranging between 2.0-3.0 metres, have been forecast on most coasts during the next two day.

According to the weather forecast, Wednesday is going to be partly cloudy to cloudy over most of the governorates with chance of isolated rain occasionally thundershower associated with fresh downdraft winds and hail over Dhofar, Al Wusta, South Al Sharqiyah, North Al Sharqiyah, Al Dakhiliyah, North Al Batinah, South Al Batinah, Al Buraimi, Al Dhahirah, Musandam and Muscat governorates. Chance of dust rising is to continue over deserts and open areas.