An Indian is among three people killed in incessant rains caused by cyclone Phet that lashed Oman knocking down electric poles and flooding localities. 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, the report was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India (PTI). Separately, an Omani national was killed when he was trying to cross a flooded area in northern Al Dahirah region. Heavy rains paralyzed 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.
