Cyclone Shaheen: Three killed in Oman, UAE gears up for impact

At least three people including a child were killed in Oman as the country continues to face the impact of tropical cyclone Shaheen.

A child, who had been swept away by water, was later found dead in an inundated area in the Wilayat of Al Amerat in Muscat, the Oman News Agency reported. Another person who was reported missing on Sunday was found on Monday morning in Wadi Al-Sail in the Wilayat of Al-Rustaq in the South Al Batinah governorate.

Missing child found dead in an inundated area in the Wilayat of Al Amerat, Muscat. https://t.co/CuOBOaumu7

— وكالة الأنباء العمانية (@OmanNewsAgency) October 3, 2021

Authorities also confirmed that two workers were killed when their housing area collapsed during a landslide in the Rusayl industrial area of Muscat province.

جريان وادي الحواسنة بولاية الخابورة بمحافظة شمال الباطنة.#العمانية pic.twitter.com/ADAZP1IajA

— وكالة الأنباء العمانية (@OmanNewsAgency) October 4, 2021

The National Center for Emergency Management also reported the collapse of a building of workers – which was “made of unstable materials” while they were on site in the Wilayat of Suwaiq. They were all transferred to a shelter centre in good health, it confirmed.

جريان وادي ضنك بمحافظة الظاهرة .#العمانية pic.twitter.com/bPdmoeIIn5

— وكالة الأنباء العمانية (@OmanNewsAgency) October 4, 2021

Flights were delayed on Sunday due to the severe weather conditions, with authorities warning the public to stay away from wadis and flooded areas.

ولاية المصنعة بمحافظة جنوب الباطنة الآن.#العمانية pic.twitter.com/m8CqqoE6AG

— وكالة الأنباء العمانية (@OmanNewsAgency) October 3, 2021

The country’s Civil Aviation Authority confirmed on Monday morning that Shaheen has been downgraded to a “tropical depression” and is currently located over Al Dhahira governate.

However rainfall is expected to persist across several areas in the country, it said.

Warning NO. (8)#Shaheen#Oman_Sea pic.twitter.com/p51J9OZnbQ

— الأرصاد العمانية (@OmanMeteorology) October 4, 2021

Meanwhile, Shaheen is expected to hit parts of the UAE on Monday, particularly in the Al Ain region.

#Alert #NCM pic.twitter.com/JKiAdpc4vq

— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@NCMS_media) October 4, 2021

Several schools in the region have switched to remote learning for Monday and Tuesday, while some of the roads were blocked on Sunday to avoid flooding.

#أخبارنا |

أعلنت القيادة العامة لشرطة أبوظبي بالتعاون مع مركز النقل المتكامل وبلدية مدينة العين عن إغلاق شارع الشيخ خليفة بن زايد من بداية دوار توام باتجاه منطقة المقام ومدينة أبوظبي نظرًا لأعمال الصيانة في جسر المقام وتحسباً للحالة المدارية “شاهين” .#الحالة_المدارية #شاهين pic.twitter.com/RlLFqV4zUu

— شرطة أبوظبي (@ADPoliceHQ) October 3, 2021

Authorities urged people to remain cautious and “abide by the warnings issued by the concerned authorities and not to take risks or go out during turbulent weather conditions except for necessity in order to preserve their safety”.

#NCEMA and @MOIUAE call upon the public to cooperate and abide by the warnings issued by the concerned authorities and not to take risks or go out during trubulent weather conditions except for necessity in order to preserve their safety. pic.twitter.com/uFRsJKcb7y

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) October 3, 2021