More than a year's worth of rain has fallen in just a few days in Oman, causing widespread flash flooding and leaving 18 people dead and many more missing. Heavy rains are expected to continue Wednesday, with schools and government offices closed and hundreds of people evacuated.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms have been occurring in large parts of the country since Sunday. More than 180mm of rain fell in some areas from Sunday to Tuesday. according to National Commission for National Emergency Management. Average annual rainfall in the capital Muscat is around 100 millimeters, but other parts of the country can receive much more.
Crisis Management Committee says 18 dead include infants Said Two other people were reported missing on Tuesday. According to the Associated Press, 10 of the dead were elementary school students who were swept away in cars with adults.
Heavy rain will continue on Wednesday, with some areas such as Muscat expected to receive between 30 and 100 millimeters of rain, the crisis management committee said.
Some schools were closed on Tuesday, and some government departments ordered staff to work from home. The closure will continue on Wednesday, state media said.
Severe flooding also occurred in the neighboring United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, prompting the country's National Meteorological Center and government to Said It was the largest rainfall event in the past 75 years. According to the center, some areas received 254.8 mm of rain in less than a day. Due to severe storms, flights to Dubai International Airport were diverted and operations temporarily suspended.