Muscat: Heavy rains and hailstorms have been lashing the northern parts of Oman for the past three days, disrupting normal life and throwing traffic out of gear in some areas.
Parts of Dhahira, Dhakliyah and South of Sharqiyah and Buraimi governorates received medium to heavy rains, due the localised cloud formation since the beginning of this month, according to the Meteorology Department at the Public Authority for Civil Aviation.
Wadis in the provinces of Ibri, Yanqul, Dhank, Mahada, Buraimi, Bahla, Nizwa, Samayil, Mudhaibi, Dima wa Tayeen and Izki were flooded. No causalities have been reported, an official told Gulf News.
شباب قرية #مس بولاية #دماء_والطائيين يحبذون نوعية هالمغامرة عند جريان الأودية ! 😅🙄#الخيمة_العمانية pic.twitter.com/IyRimCFXdH
— الخيمة العُمانية🇴🇲 (@WeatherOmanya) July 6, 2018
Meanwhile, dramatic video footages of an Omani driver being swept away with vehicle when he tried to cross a flooded wadi in Wadi Mahram in Samayil province has emerged. He was later rescued by residents. The footage has gone viral on social media platforms.
Many shops were damaged after rain water flooded them in Izki province.
من أمطار اليوم بولاية #إزكي #الخيمة_العمانية pic.twitter.com/uhSEid7Dk5
— الخيمة العُمانية🇴🇲 (@WeatherOmanya) July 6, 2018
Police have arrested a motorist, who tried to make a risky crossing of an overflowing wadi. He was rescued by Royal Oman Police after he got stuck in the middle of the wadi. Police later said in online statement that the driver was recklessly crossing the flooded wadi and he will be charged accordingly.
Earlier, authorities urged residents to stay away from low-lying areas, as well as overflowing wadis.
شاهد ما حدث اليوم في #وادي_محرم بولاية #سمائل
— الخيمة العُمانية🇴🇲 (@WeatherOmanya) July 6, 2018
الحمد لله .. الله ستر
والشخص خرج من المركبة بصحة وسلامة #الخيمة_العمانية pic.twitter.com/Veoz6AWQAJ
Heavy rains in 2007 due to Cyclone Gonu claimed 49 lives in Omam, which was followed by Cyclone Phet in 2010 that claimed 24 lives and Cyclone Mekunu that ravaged the southern parts of Oman in May, left seven people dead.