Rains claim two lives, over 50 people rescued

Heavy rains across the country in the last two days has claimed two lives, including of that of a child, and 50 people were rescued by the Royal Oman Police on Sunday.

On Sunday, an Asian man lost his life in Izki when an electricity pole fell, while a child drowned in a falaj in the Wilayat of Dima W’attayeen. Traffic was disrupted in several wilayats as wadis began to overflow.

In Shinas alone, eight wadis — Hemera, Wediat, Melaha, Nema, Arar Bani Sad, Fedh, Tameat and Aqar — affected traffic, said the Royal Oman Police (ROP).

The other wadis that left commuters stranded on either side were Wadi Shafan in Saham, Wadi Al Hawasena in Al Khabourah, Wadi Al Rumailiya in Liwa and Wadi Sur Al Balush in Shinas. Wadi Sahtan posed a serious threat to motorists as the gushing waters had left behind rocks on its path.

While the rain water affected the Samayil Hospital, the staff at College of Education in Rustaq said a part of a building’s shade collapsed because of accumulation of water. No one was injured. More than 20 electrical fires were reported due to heavy rain in the last two days. The Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) has rescued 50 people since Saturday. It also rescued five members of a family stuck in their house in Shinas due to heavy rain, two children in the Wilayat of Dhank and a stranded man in Wadi Mudhaibi.

A family of eight was rescued after they were stuck in their vehicle. Another vehicle with two people inside as well as three more people whose vehicle was swept away by wadis were rescued.

In Izki, 12 vehicles were swept away by gushing wadi waters. Drivers were rescued later. A Pakistani driver was rescued after his truck got stuck.

In Barkat Al Mouz, three Egyptians were rescued after their vehicle was swept away by a wadi. A family of six stuck inside their vehicle were rescued in Bahla, while another family of three was rescued after it was swept away by Wadi Blad Seet.

In Daba, an Emirati family of three was rescued after their vehicle was stuck in a wadi, while a national was rescued in Al Sharqiyah.