Dubai: Three foreign nationals, including an
Indian, are among 12 people killed in incessant rains
triggered by cyclone Phet that lashed Oman knocking down
electric poles and flooding localities.
Nine Omanis and three expatriates were killed by the
storm, General Malek al-Muammari, head of Oman`s civil defence
force, told Oman`s state television.
The Indian died in Quriyat area, an Oman TV report said,
without identifying the victim. It said he was electrocuted.
A Bangladeshi woman also died after being electrocuted in
the same area while nationality of another expatriate has not
been identified.
Heavy rains paralysed life in Muscat, Al Dakhiliyah, Al
Sharqiyah, Al Batinah, Al Dahirah, Al Wusta, Dhofar and other
areas in Oman while various localities in Muscat governorate,
Muttrah, Baushar, Amerat and Quriyat were inundated.
The continuous downpour, coupled with high velocity
winds, led to the overflowing of large areas of the land.
However, oil installations and gas stations are
reported to be safe.
Despite Phet`s downgrade from a Category 3 to Category 1
yesterday, the cyclone brought fierce, heavy rains with winds
peaking at 138kph.
The meteorological office said that wind speed was
120kph near Masira. However, the cyclone was expected to move
away from Oman.
The Oman TV report said the area of Sur in Sharqiyah
bore the maximum brunt as heavy rains accompanied with strong
winds lashed and flooded the entire region.
Buildings in Jalan Bani Bu Ali, Wadi Bin Khaled, Al
Kamel Wal Al Wafi and Masirah also were battered under the
impact of strong winds.
In Al Dakhiliyah, heavy rains lashed Izki while
Rustaq and Khaburah bore the brunt in Al Batinah.
Heavy rains in Ibri and Yanqul in Dahirah resulted in
overflow of valleys, while in Al Wusta, moderate rains to
normal rainfall led to the filling of Mahout and Duqm.
PTI
