At least 12 individuals, including nine students, two residents, and an expatriate, have tragically lost their lives in Oman due to vehicles being swept away by floodwaters on Sunday. This devastating event follows torrential rains that caused flash floods across various parts of the country.
Reports from the National Committee for Emergency Management confirm the casualties, with efforts ongoing to locate five missing persons, as earlier reported by the Oman News Agency.
The impact of the floods has been widespread, with distress calls flooding in from stranded individuals across roads, schools, and residential areas. In a testament to community solidarity, both authorities and residents have rallied to rescue those in peril, often braving waist-high waters.
One particularly harrowing incident unfolded at Wadi Samad Al Shan, where rising water levels breached the premises of Rawda School in the Al Ghazal area, trapping occupants inside. Prompt response from field teams, including the Royal Oman Police and the Civil Defense Authority, led to the safe evacuation of students to a secure location.
Additional rescue operations, including police aviation efforts, have been deployed to locate and aid those stranded by the floods. While some individuals have been successfully rescued and transported to medical facilities, others remain unaccounted for.
In response to the crisis, authorities have directed schools and colleges in Oman to transition to distance learning on Monday, April 15, in an effort to ensure the safety of students and faculty amidst the ongoing emergency.