SALALAH, Oman — The authorities in Oman carried out a number of search and rescue operations on Sunday, saving dozens of people stranded in the aftermath of rains and floods in the Dhofar region. Several government agencies, including the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), were roped in to help keep people safe from the torrential rains and ensure the roads are clear of falling debris in the Sultanate's southern governorate, the state news agency ONA reported. On Sunday, a transport aircraft RAFO evacuated a child with critical health condition. The child was transported from Dhahboun in the Wilayat of Thumrait to Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah to receive urgent medical treatment. The RAFO also carried out many rescue operations by its helicopters for citizens and residents who were stranded by the heavy rains and flooding wadis in several places, including Uqad in the Wilayat of Salalah in the Governorate of Dhofar. Meanwhile, the police command in Dhofar Governorate also exerted extensive efforts in handling the situation. The command received more than 145 reports varying between people being stranded, vehicles washed away, roads damaged and fires breaking out in different places. "A number of policemen, firefighters and first aid personnel acted in cooperation with all other departments concerned in addressing emergency cases," said Brig. Mohsin bin Ahmed Al-Abri, Commander of Dhofar Police Command. "More than 140 people were rescued and a number of vehicles were plucked after being inundated while some sick (injured) people were rushed to the Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah," Al-Abri added. He also said that two Omani citizens died when their vehicle was washed away while they negotiated a rumbling Wadi Arzat gorge. Search was still on for a third citizen whose vehicle was washed away by the Wadi Dhahboon flooding in the Wilayat of Thamrait, said Brig. Al-Abri. He added that one expatriate died during the tropical condition when the roof of the makeshift lodging he shared with many other Asian workers caved in. The incident also left a number of workers injured.
