Oman's CDAA urges caution as rains continue

Muscat: The effects of the low pressure trough continued in a number of governorates of the Sultanate of Oman on Wednesday morning, and are expected to continue on Thursday as well, according to latest weather maps and analyses of the National Centre for Early Warning of Multiple Hazards.

The governorates of Musandam, North Al Batinah, South Al Batinah, Al Buraimi, Al Dakhiliyah, Muscat, Al Dhahirah, North Al Sharqiyah and South Al Sharqiyah have been affected most by the depression. It is expected that these areas will witness sporadic rains with thunders and overflowing of wadis.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) tweeted that on December 28 and 29 northwest winds will cause tidal waves on the coasts of Musandam Governorate and the coasts facing the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

The northwest winds will also cause a noticeable decrease in temperatures in most governorates and dust in parts of the governorates of Al-Buraimi, Al-Dhahirah, Al-Wusta and Dhofar.

The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) said that due to continued rains of varying intensity in Muscat Governorate, people should exercise caution and not risk venturing into valleys and water bodies, and strictly adhere to warnings and instructions to preserve the safety of their lives and property.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources issued a report on the distribution of rains over a number of states in the Sultanate between December 26 and 28 (till 8 am).

The three states in Muscat Governorate recorded the highest rainfall in the Sultanate.

The state of Muttrah received the highest rainfall at 154 millimetres, followed by the state of Muscat with 113 mm, and Al-Seeb at 80 mm. Dibba, Barka, Bausher and Khasab recorded 58mm, 49mm, 35mm and 31mm, respectively.

On the other hand, the states of Al-Khaboura, Dhank, Ibri and Samail recorded the least amount of rainfall at 2 mm, while the state of Nizwa in the Governorate of Al-Dakhiliyah recorded just 1mm.

The Sultanate witnessed this spell of rains due to low pressure trough from Sunday, 25 December in most of the governorates that led to overflowing valleys and wadis and suspension of classes on Tuesday and Wednesday in all schools of the Sultanate.

Work in some government and private units too remained suspended.