MUSCAT: Oman’s Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) has warned the public to stay safe as reports indicate heavy rainfall in some areas of Oman on Sunday night. 

According to the Met office, nearly all of the Sultanate’s governorates could be at risk of flooding in the wadis.

The report issued on Sunday by PACA said, “Due to the possible thunderstorms on Sunday evening May 19, which may vary in some areas from 40 to 90mm accompanied by fresh winds and hail, and could lead to the overflow of wadis in all governorates.”

As such, PACA has called on everyone to take precautions during thunderstorms and not to cross any wadis. The authority has also advised citizens and residents to avoid low-lying areas and not to sail in the ocean during this period. 

Search in progress for expat family

Meanwhile, the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance has resumed the search for an expat family of six in the Wilayat of Wadi Bani Khalid in Al Sharqiyah. According to a statement by the authority, the missing family’s vehicle “was dragged away by Wadi al Wudd in the Wilayat of Wadi Bani Khalid.” It added that the family “was made up of six people from an Asian nationality.”

The Directorate of Civil Defence and Ambulance in North Al Sharqiyah are searching alongside the local police force in the area.

And in a separate incident, a family of twelve was rescued by The Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance late last night after they became trapped in their home due to a flooded wadi.

A statement by the authority read, “The team of the water rescue services of the directorate of Civil Defence and Ambulance in North Al Sharqiyah was able to rescue a family of 12 at Muzairaa in Wilayat Wadi Bani Khalid after the water from the wadi overflowed into their homes and trapped them inside.

“All members of the family were transferred to a safe area and are in good health,” the statement added.