Oman Environment Expect more rain in Oman over next three days

Parts of Oman have experienced flash floods, hailstorms and more rainfall than usual in recent days, weathermen say.

One video on an Omani weather channel shows a car’s shattered rear windscreen after a hailstone shower. Wadis and rivers are also flooded, but local authorities have been rallying to repair and fix damaged areas across the country.

Ten days ago, an entire stretch of road was washed away and a school flooded after a flash flood hit the town of Al Awabi, located about 28 kilometres, or 35 minutes, south of Rustaq.

Al Awabi’s flooding was the direct consequence of heavy cloud build-up in and around the Al Hajar Mountains, which led to heavy rainfall of about 20 millimetre (mm) over the past week, according to weather experts.

Cause of destruction

Although the destruction of an entire village was due to 100mm rainfall, the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources (MRMW) recorded a considerably high amount at 32mm in Nizwa.

“The rainfall measurement stations belonging to the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources recorded the highest amount of rain in the Ad Dakhalia province at 32mm in the state of Nizwa,” the ministry said.

The report indicated that heavy rainfall was a reason for the overflowing of water in more than 20 wadis and dams.

Heavy rainfall was also experienced in a number of governorates as a result of local cloud formations, during July 24 to 26, according to a report by the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources (MRMWR). 15 mm of rain was reported in the state of Ibra, 14mm in Rustaq, and 12mm in Ibri. According to the report, Sohar reported 9mm of rain and Al Amerat had 5mm of rain.

The Directorate General of Meteorology stated that cumulus clouds are expected over the western side of the Al Hajar mountains for the next three days.

“The presence of cumulous clouds can be expected along the Al Hajar Mountains with chances of scattered rain and thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds.” “The spread and flowing of clouds (will be seen) in parts of governorates Al Wusta and Dhofar, with chances of scattered rain,” the directorate stated.