Rains lash some part of Oman; motorists warned about poor visibility during in Dhofar

MUSCAT: Torrential rains lashed affected various parts of the Sultanate of Oman over the weekend accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds.

Flash Floods, overflowing wadis and rockslides were also recorded in many parts just after Al Jabal Al Akhdhar reported heavy rainfall.

Al Buraimi, Suhar, Misfat Al Abriyeen, Ibri and Al Mudhaibi reeled under heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms. Major wadis in these areas are overflowing .

The desert and mountainous wilayats of Dhofar Governorate witnessed scattered rainfall associated with active winds that led to the flow of several wadis on Saturday.

The National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Centre expects continued rainfall in these areas over the next two days, urging users of the Sultan Said bin Taimur Road (Maqshin-Thamrait) to exercise caution due to reduced visibility during rainfall and rising dust and sand.

Parts of the Dhofar Governorate’s coast and adjacent mountains experienced heavy drizzle.

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) alerted users of the Sultan Said bin Taimur Road to be aware of reduced horizontal visibility in the Wilayat of Adam due to active winds and rising dust.

ROP said that driving in dusty conditions poses a danger to the safety of drivers and advised them to reduce speed, use headlights and tail lights, maintain a safe distance and stop in a safe place in the event of poor visibility.

Parts of the Dhofar Governorate’s coast and adjacent mountains experienced heavy drizzle, with moderate temperatures across the governorate. Salalah recorded 24.4°C, Qayrun Hayrti 21.6°C and Dhalkout 21.8°C.

In the Al Hajar Mountains range and surrounding areas, cumulonimbus clouds formed, leading to scattered thunderstorms accompanied by active downdrafts. The meteorological department warned of a potential dust storm affecting some desert areas south of the Al Hajar Mountains, resulting from downdrafts from the thunderstorms in the surrounding regions. This could stir up dust and reduce horizontal visibility.

Hamra Al Duru recorded the highest temperature on Saturday at 47°C, while Al Rustaq recorded 46.8°C.

KABEER YOUSUF and SUHAIL AL NAHDI