Heavy rains lash parts of Oman

Muscat: Heavy rains lashed most parts of Musandam and Buraimi governorates of Oman on Sunday.

Wadis in provinces of Khasab, Bakha and Bibba of Musandam governorate flooded and caused traffic jam.

No causalities have been reported so far, an official at the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA), told Gulf News.

Northern parts of Oman, including Dhakliyah, Dahira and Muscat governorates, are expected to receive medium to heavy rains starting from late Sunday and Monday.

Earlier, the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (Paca), in a statement, urged residents to stay away from low-lying areas, as well as overflowing wadis.

The rains brought down temperatures nationwide.

The latest satellite images and weather charts reveal the depression is likely to continue over Oman till Monday leading to thundershowers, hailstones and strong winds. The forecast said most parts of the country will be hit by medium to heavy rains.

Oman will witness medium to heavy rainfall due to El Niño event in January and February, according to Paca.

El Niño will also bring more rainfall to neighbouring Gulf countries.

An El Niño event occurs when east and central Pacific sea surface temperatures are much warmer than usual, which occurs every three to eight years. El Niño causes general climate changes on Earth’s atmosphere that lead to drought, floods as well as impacts on agricultural crops and natural resources.

The highest rise of El Niño phenomenon was registered in 1997 when the temperatures rose by two degree Celsius.

Oman witnessed heavy rainfall that caused floods in the northern parts of Oman in 1997 due to El Niño.

Rainfall in 2007 claimed 49 lives due to Gonu Cyclone, which was followed by Phet Cyclone in 2010 that claimed 24 lives.