Muscat – Heavy rains and flash floods that swept parts of Oman over the weekend resulted in five deaths, including a child and two women, as wadis overflowed and water levels surged in several governorates.

Search and rescue teams saved more than 115 citizens and residents who were trapped by floodwaters or stranded after their vehicles were swept into wadis.

Sectors of the National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) continue to operate at full capacity to address the impact of the weather system and maintain essential services.

In the relief and shelter sector, 533 people have been accommodated since the onset of the weather situation. As of Saturday, nine shelters remained operational across several governorates, hosting 253 individuals.

The medical response and public health sector said operations at several health centres in North Sharqiyah were temporarily suspended due to weather conditions. Alternative arrangements have been made to ensure continuity of care.

On Saturday, rescue teams from the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority saved a person trapped in a wadi stream in Bahla. In Muscat governorate, 30 people were rescued after a bus was caught in a wadi stream in Bausher. All were reported to be in good health.

On Friday, a child died after being swept away in a wadi in Izki, Dakhliyah governorate. The Search and Rescue Department said the body was later recovered. A citizen also drowned in a wadi in Wadi Bani Khalid the same day. Authorities urged the public to avoid swimming in wadis and rainwater pools during rainfall.

On Thursday, two Omani women died in a wadi in Ibri, Dhahirah governorate. One had reportedly attempted to rescue the other. In a separate incident, a citizen was found dead after his vehicle was swept away in a wadi in Manah.

Police Aviation carried out several rescue operations. A citizen trapped in a wadi in Izki was airlifted to safety, while another whose vehicle was swept away in Wadi Matam in Sinaw was rescued and transported to a safe location.

Authorities in North Sharqiyah detained two citizens after they attempted to cross a flooded wadi in Bidiyah. Their vehicles were swept away and the individuals were referred to judicial authorities.

In Buraimi governorate, more than 99 people were evacuated from homes affected by rising water levels. All were reported to be in good health.

Police Aviation also airlifted five citizens trapped in Wadi Al Lathli in Mudhaibi and rescued an Asian truck driver whose vehicle was swept away while attempting to cross Wadi Al Bathaa in Sinaw. In Suwaiq, a family of two was rescued after their vehicle was caught in a wadi.

Authorities reiterated calls for the public to avoid crossing flooded wadis and to adhere strictly to safety warnings during unstable weather conditions.