Oman was hit with heavy rains and thunderstorms on Thursday, May 2, as warned by the country’s weather agency. The Oman Civil Aviation Authority issued a weather alert forecasting thunderstorms and varying intensities of rainfall starting at 10 am. The impact of the weather system was expected to affect eight governorates, including Muscat, Dhofar, and Al Buraimi.
The Oman Meteorology department provided real-time updates on the weather conditions, indicating the formation and movement of thunderstorm cells along the coasts and deserts of Dhofar. Additionally, rain-bearing cumulonimbus clouds were reported in parts of Al Buraimi, Al Dhahirah, Musandam, northern Al Batinah, southern Al Batinah, and Muscat.
In response to the severe weather conditions, education authorities in Oman announced the implementation of distance learning for all educational institutions on May 2. Classes were scheduled to resume on Sunday, May 5, to ensure the safety of students and staff amidst the unstable weather.
The decision to shift to online learning was applicable to both public and private schools in the country. The Oman News Agency confirmed that government, private, and foreign schools would conduct classes online on May 2 in all governorates except Al Wusta.
Oman had previously experienced tragic consequences from heavy rainfall, with 17 casualties reported during the storms on April 13-16. Flash floods caused by the intense rainfall led to loss of life and property damage in the country.
The impact of the unstable weather conditions in Oman was not limited to the country alone. Other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries also felt the effects, with Riyadh in Saudi Arabia moving schools to remote learning on May 1 due to heavy rainfall. The General Directorate of Civil Defence in Saudi Arabia issued red alerts for multiple parts of the kingdom, including Medinah and Makkah, as flooding and water accumulation on streets posed risks to residents.
The GCC-wide weather alert highlighted the need for precautionary measures and preparedness in the face of extreme weather events. As countries in the region continue to experience the effects of climate change, coordination and communication among authorities are crucial to ensuring the safety and well-being of the population.