Heavy rains lash northern Oman, bring temperatures down

Muscat: Heavy rains lashed the northern parts of Oman on Monday, disrupting normal life and throwing traffic out of gear in some areas. Temperatures were lower across some northern parts of the country.

Parts of Dhahira, Dhakliyah and south of Sharqiyah and Buraimi governorates received medium to heavy rains, according to the Meteorology Department.

The Met office statement said: “Latest weather maps and numerical forecasts suggest cloud cover over northern governorates of Dhahira, Dhakilyah and Buraimi, with chances of rain, thunderstorm and hail of varying intensity across other governorates.”

According to forecasts, the system has primarily impacted Dahirah and Dhakilyah Governorates.

Long queues of vehicles were reported stuck for hours in some areas, as the motorists were waiting for the water level to go down in some overflowing wadis on Monday. Videos of the flooded wadis have been widely circulated in social media platforms. No casualties have been reported until the writing of this report, according to ROP.

Earlier, authorities urged residents to stay away from low-lying areas, as well as overflowing wadis.

Oman Meteorology has also given a warning of more downpours, along with a chance of thunderstorms in the coming days.

Southern Oman is also experiencing the “khareef” season, which takes place when low-pressure systems drift across from India, which itself is being lashed by monsoons.

This phenomenon causes the region to turn lush green, with wadis and waterfalls surging and the seas turning choppy.

The authorities also warn people to stay away from rough seas in the southern region of Dhofar.

Meanwhile, temperatures are expected to dip across affected regions for the next few days. Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has advised residents to remain cautious and stay updated on official weather reports as the system progresses.

In 2007, Cyclone Gonu claimed 49 lives, which was followed by Cyclone Phet in 2010 that claimed 24 lives, Cyclone Mekunu that ravaged the southern parts of Oman in 2018, left seven people dead and Shaheen which claimed more than 15 lives in 2022.

Fahad Al Mukrashi is a freelance journalist based in Oman