Several people rescued as heavy rain lashes Oman

Several people were rescued in Oman after torrential rain caused by a tropical storm left many parts of the country inundated.

Four members of a family were rescued in Sur after floodwaters trapped them inside their house, the Omani Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority said on social media.

In separate incidents, three more people were rescued after their vehicles were swept away by flood waters.

Oman closed schools on Tuesday and issued a safety alert in response to storms sweeping across the country.

Authorities announced distance learning for pupils in response to the severe weather and urged the public to remain indoors and monitor government channels for weather updates.

Earlier, the UAE embassy in Muscat also warned Emiratis in Oman to “exercise caution” during the stormy conditions.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) is monitoring developments as the severe weather moves in over the Arabian Sea, it said on social media platform X.

The impact on the UAE, however, was expected to be minimal, according to NCEMA, with a possibility of rain in some areas and rough seas.

The forecast said “the movement of a low-pressure system from the Arabian Sea towards Oman” would affect parts of the UAE, “bringing changes in weather patterns”.

It said eastern and northern regions will experience “rainfall of varying intensities”, extending to “some internal and western areas”.

The weather bureau also warned of thunder, lightning and “occasional hail over specific locations”.

Winds will be “light to moderate from the south-east to north-east”, becoming stronger and reducing visibility in some parts.

Oman and the UAE were hit by severe weather resulting in flooding and storms in April.

It was estimated that at least 20 people died in the flooding in Oman, with four killed in the Emirates when a series of storms battered the Gulf.

Dubai and Sharjah were struck by four successive rainstorms, leaving large parts of the cities badly flooded.

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Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)

Lecce v SPAL (6pm)

Bologna v Genoa (9pm)

Atlanta v Roma (11.45pm)

Sunday

Udinese v Hellas Verona (3.30pm)

Juventus v Brescia (6pm)

Sampdoria v Fiorentina (6pm)

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Monday

AC Milan v Torino (11.45pm)

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Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

British Grand Prix free practice times in the third and final session at Silverstone on Saturday (top five):

1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:28.063 (18 laps)

2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1:28.095 (14)

3. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1:28.137 (20)

4. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 1:28.732 (15)

5. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) 1:29.480 (14)