Flash floods in UAE, heavy rain in Oman kills 18

Heavy rains hit Oman and other parts of the Middle East, killing at least 18 people.

The country’s National Emergency Management Committee said flooding caused by heavy rain over the weekend has killed 18 people, including 10 primary school children, and two are missing.

The children and an adult were in a car that got into trouble in the floodwaters and was swept away.

The Royal Oman Police have been conducting rescue missions on Tuesday, while the National Emergency Management Committee warned people to stay away from large bodies of water.

The government is encouraging people to work from home due to severe weather conditions in several provinces, while giving administrative staff in the public and private sectors a day off, Al Jazeera reported.

“We express our sincere condolences and sympathies to the families and relatives of the students who lost their lives due to heavy rains in North Sharkiya province,” the National Emergency Management Council said in a statement.

Meanwhile, neighboring countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are experiencing heavy rains.

More than 120 millimeters (4.75 inches) of rain fell in Dubai – the UAE’s average rainfall in a year – disrupting the city’s airport and causing flooding on major highways across the city.

Schools across the UAE were largely closed ahead of the storm as some government employees worked from home. Meanwhile, tankers have been dispatched over the past 24 hours to try to pump out the water.

Due to the city’s lack of regular rainfall, many roads in the city and other areas lack drainage, meaning flooding is more likely. Further rainfall is expected in the coming hours.

A statement from the Dubai Local Government said: “Due to weather conditions, the Dubai Government has extended remote working for all employees of its entities until Wednesday, April 17. Private schools in Dubai have also been instructed to continue remote learning tomorrow. Private sector urged Entities are working remotely tomorrow and taking all necessary measures to keep everyone safe.”

Additional reporting from the agencys