Muscat: Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds brought back memories of tropical cyclone Gonu even as residents in Oman geared up for a further dip in temperatures.
Some Muscat streets were flooded and traffic moved at a snail’s pace. However, there were no major traffic jams as people stayed home for the weekend.
The Oman Professional League Cup football match final between Seeb and Saham had to be abandoned after the first half as flood lights went off amid the downpour that also flooded the Seeb Football Stadium. The match was scheduled to resume today.
Northern suburbs of Muscat also witnessed heavy rain and strong winds. “The rains accompanied by storm reminded us of cyclone Gonu,” Shailesh Seth, a shop owner in Al Khodh area of Muscat, told Gulf News.
He believes that the rain in that short spell over Al Khodh was probably heavier than during the cyclone. “We did worry as streets began to flood,” he said.
The streets in Muscat are decked out with lights to mark the 43rd National Day on November 18 and lightning and rain made it look even better.
Moderate to heavy rain fell over Batinah region in the north as well as in central Oman. Authorities have urged motorists to be careful while crossing low-lying wadis during rain.
The Directorate General of Weather and Air Navigation has forecast that the rain will subside by Saturday in Muscat.
