Muscat – The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) has said that the National Search and Rescue Team played a major role in reporting incidents in the aftermath of tropical cyclone Shaheen. It addressed many reports of missing persons and uprooted trees that blocked roads and hampered traffic. The team participated in the distribution of supplies to citizens and residents in affected areas as well.

The CDAA set up a camp in the wilayat of Suwaiq to facilitate the mission of the National Search and Rescue Team in the Governorate of North Batinah. From its provision centre there, the team coordinated the efforts of various teams that responded to emergency reports. The centre comprised a variety of human resources, specialised teams and equipment to handle emergency calls and humanitarian cases.

The CDAA pointed out that the National Search and Rescue Team operates in accordance with a clear-cut mechanism in addressing consequences of climatic conditions, notably by categorising affected areas to facilitate the delivery of emergency services.

A CDAA statement said that the National Search and Rescue Team has received international accreditation from the International Search and Rescue Group. ‘The national team is specialised in operations covering urban, mountainous and aquatic environments. Its groups of engineers, technicians and physicians command top skills and mobile search utilities including K9 sniffer dogs, drones and other search and rescue equipment.’

ONA