Muscat – Oman Water Society (OWS), in cooperation with the Office of the Governor of North Batinah, opened the Fifth Symposium on Tropical Cyclones and Flash Floods in the wilayat of Khabourah on Monday.

The two-day symposium is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Sulaiman al Kindi, Governor of North Batinah, with an aim of reducing the impact of cyclones in the sultanate.

An official of OWS said, “The symposium was launched under the title ‘One year after Shaheen – Preparedness, Integration and Adaptation’. It aims to discuss preparations and experiences gained in facing cyclones and storms.”

The symposium provides a platform to discuss how to reduce the impact of cyclones, the role of civil society institutions and the media in reducing the impact, and reducing the risk of floods.

Additionally, it will discuss the economic and social impacts of cyclones, besides their effect on infrastructure and water facilities.

“The symposium will also shed light on government and social organisations’ efforts undertaken during Cyclone Shaheen, the challenges faced in delivering aid, ways to develop a system of joint action, and identify the measures and preparations that have been achieved by the concerned authorities to confront such natural phenomena in the future,” the official said.

According to the OWS official, 14 government agencies, private companies and civil institutions are participating in the symposium. Participants will also review the experiences of competent authorities in the sultanate in confronting cyclones and floods.