MUSCAT: As the weather conditions seem to be calming down a bit from the impacts of the low pressure, Oman Meteorology experts said a more significant weather wave is set to impact the Sultanate of Oman from late Thursday or early Friday.
Nasser bin Said al Ismaili, Director of the Forecasting and Early Warning System at the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), said that while the current atmosphere may feature intermittent calm periods lasting several hours, the overall unstable weather pattern is expected to persist right through the weekend.
Abdullah bin Rashid al Khadhuri, Director-General of the Directorate-General of Meteorology, CAA, said, "The weather condition will be relatively calm on Thursday, but the major wave is expected to impact the Sultanate of Oman’s atmosphere from late Thursday, which is expected to bring torrential rain. It will be the last wave that is going to affect Al Buraimi and Musandam first, and then extend over other governorates."
On Saturday, the weather conditions are expected to bring intermittent rain of varying intensity. It needs to be mentioned that Oman's specialised meteorological centres are equipped with adequate monitoring systems."
He added, while some effects will be felt along the coastal areas of the Arabian Sea on Sunday, the skies of the Sultanate of Oman will be clear in the next few days."
He urged people not to take risks and keep children away from flowing wadis. It may be noted that several people were rescued by the Civil Defence Ambulance Authority (CDAA), including families, since the start of the current weather conditions on Saturday, March 21.
Authorities have issued safety guidelines urging the public to take precautionary measures during hailstorms, as unstable weather conditions continue to affect parts of the Sultanate of Oman.
The advisory emphasised the importance of remaining indoors and staying in safe locations while avoiding unnecessary movement during periods of intense hail. Residents were also urged to keep away from windows and open areas to reduce the risk of injury.
Motorists have been advised to avoid driving during heavy hail and to park their vehicles in safe, covered locations whenever possible. In cases where shelter is unavailable, covering vehicles can help minimise damage caused by hailstones.
On Wednesday, several wilayats and governorates across the Sultanate of Oman including Muscat experienced rainfall on Wednesday, ranging from moderate to heavy, resulting in the flow of numerous wadis and streams. The weather conditions are attributed to the influence of the low-pressure system known locally as 'Al Masarat'.
In the Governorate of Al Batinah South, the wilayats of Al Rustaq, Al Musannah, Barka, Nakhal, Al Awabi and Wadi Al Maawil witnessed rainfall varying between heavy and moderate. Similarly, a number of villages and towns in the Wilayat of Yanqul in the Governorate of Al Dhahirah experienced moderate to heavy rainfall, which caused the flow of several wadis.
In the Wilayat of Nizwa in the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah, several villages received rainfall of varying intensity. This led to the flow of streams and wadis such as Wadi Al Hijri. The rain extended across all villages of the wilayat, resulting in the overflow of dams.
Meanwhile, villages in the Wilayat of Liwa in the Governorate of Al Batinah North experienced heavy rainfall accompanied by active winds. This caused wadis and streams to flow across various villages, leading to a complete halt in traffic on main and service roads in some areas. The rainfall was concentrated in both mountainous and coastal villages.
The Wilayat of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar witnessed heavy rains on Wednesday, accompanied by strong winds and hail. The rainfall was concentrated across all villages and areas of the wilayat, resulting in the flowing of several wadis, including the wadis of Saiq, Wadi Qatam, Al Manakhir, Hail Al Musbat, Al Shuraijah, Wadi Bani Habib, Al Sawjarah, Al Roos and Hail Al Yaman. Furthermore, the flowing of wadis and reefs led to the filling of a number of groundwater recharge dams.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it is the sole official source for meteorological forecasts, alerts, and bulletins. The law prohibits any media agency from broadcasting any information or meteorological data other than that acquired from the Authority. Article (48): It is not permissible to practice any work related to the activities of meteorological services in the Sultanate of Oman, such as installing a meteorological station, providing meteorological services, or carrying out meteorological training activities, except after obtaining the required approval. Except with the approval of the Authority, it is prohibited to utilise meteorological data or information acquired from the competent authority for purposes other than those approved.
CAA recently said that certain entities, as well as news outlets and personal accounts, are publishing weather forecasts and warnings regarding conditions that may affect the Sultanate of Oman, contrary to those officially issued through the Authority's platforms. Given the potential for such actions to cause confusion among official entities and the public due to the spread of rumours, exaggeration or the dissemination of inaccurate or overstated information, the Authority urges all people to refrain from publishing or sharing any weather forecasts or warnings unless they are officially issued by the Authority.
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