Gulf | Oman

Two killed, 20 missing in torrential rains in Oman

Police rescued more than a dozen people stranded in mountains and flood-hit areas

  • Staff Report
  • Published: 12:03 February 8, 2010
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Gulf News

Muscat: Two people, including a GCC national, have died in torrential rains with thunder and lightening in different parts of Oman, according to the Royal Oman Police (ROP).

The GCC national was trapped in floodwaters after his car got stuck in Wadi Qmaira in the Dhank area of the Dhahirah region, northwest of Muscat. People from a nearby village rescued the other passenger in the car.

An Omani citizen died in Shinas when lightening stuck him while he was playing football, said a spokesperson for ROP.

ROP personnel have rescued more than a dozen stranded people. A group of 18 tourists, including 15 Europeans, had to take refuge in the mountains when gushing waters from mountains flooded the Wadi Al Abyadh, in north of Muscat, which they were exploring on Sunday.

According to ROP, around 20 people are still missing and efforts are on to trace them as most were stranded in the wadis, which often flood after rains.

On Sunday, most parts of Oman were drenched, including the southern region.

The ROP has cautioned motorists against "braving wadis", speeding and sudden braking. The motorists were also advised to leave enough distance with vehicles travelling ahead of them.

The ROP also cautioned against leaving electrical connections uncovered.

Temperatures in Oman have dropped to a new low, below 20 degrees Celsius as clouds covered most parts of the country on Monday morning. Traffic chaos continued in Muscat.

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