Gulf | Oman
Water crisis plagues Oman
Shelters came up everywhere as the Indian community joined in the relief work but dry taps remained the biggest worry for residents of Muscat and the town Sur.
- By Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau Chief
- Published: 23:38 May 3, 2009
- Image Credit: Hadrian Hernandez/Gulf News
- Water, fuel and electricity shortage still continues in Oman after Cyclone Gonu.
Muscat: Shelters came up everywhere as the Indian community joined in the relief work but dry taps remained the biggest worry for residents of Muscat and the eastern town Sur, links with which were restored by late Friday.
As the authorities worked round the clock to restore water supply, minor scuffles and frayed tempers were seen at many places.
A top water department official appealed for patience from residents. "It could take a maximum of 10 days before everything [water supply] is restored to completely normal," Saeed Bin Mohammad Al Nabhani, Director General of Water at the Ministry of Electricity and Water, said.
He said the water supply was being restored in a phased manner.
"We have partially restarted the Ghubrah plant using diesel as fuel, but water output has now reached only 10 million gallons per day," he explained. "We have restored partial supply to Seeb, Baushr, Qurum and Ghubrah areas."
He announced that eight points were set up from where tankers can fill water for free and distribute to households. Regarding some tanker drivers charging exorbitant prices from consumers, he said: "People should report such tankers with their vehicle registration number and Royal Oman Police will take action against them." Phone lines to Sur were established and graded temporary road links were created.
Donations
A Sur resident, who wished not to be named, said that a few minor scuffles broke out as people rushed to grab water and food supplies. Electricity is being gradually restored in this eastern coastal town. Fuel is also rationed.
Meanwhile, an official of the National Committee for Civil Defence (NCCD) was quoted by the government-owned Oman News Agency (ONA) urging citizens to come forward and donate. "Given the scale of the devastation wreaked by Gonu on local communities, the NCCD has urged citizens to come forward and donate to the relief effort," the official told ONA. All kind of donations were received from yesterday at the Oman International Exhibition Centre.
The Ministry of Social Development supervised the distribution of aid to affected families and individuals, while the Royal Oman Police will make arrangement for the delivery of such aid to remote communities. The official reiterated that only Omani nationals may donate to this objective. However, the ONA report did not elaborate and when Gulf News tried to get more information, officials refused to comment.
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