Gonu-newsfeeds, June 8, 2007

This is the third day's update, as usual in the form of a report. I am not blog friendly, so pardon my avarice in wanting to reach out this info to the public in some form.
Cheers.
Admad

Gonu-third day in Muscat:

MUSCAT – People in the capital area, Muscat, began to scurry for basic necessities yesterday, the third day after Cyclone Gonu hit Oman.
Water became a scarce commodity and majority of the people in the capital area, Muscat, ran dry without either potable water or water for any other purposes.
While many were also worried about food supplies, top officials reassured the public that Oman had enough food stocks to see them through the rest of this month.
Officials also reassured the public that people in the coastal city of Sur were alright, although agreeing that Gonu had caused material damage there. They also noted they had evacuated people from Ras Al Hadd, and people in areas like Sohar were safe.
Relief supplies were being sent by ship to affected areas like Sur. Essential food and other supplies have also been sent to Quriyat, another worst hit area.
Relief officials meanwhile noted that the cyclone killed over 30 people, and an almost equal number were reported missing.
Colonel Abdullah Al Harthy, director of public relations, Royal Oman Police (ROP) told the FM Radio Sultanate of Oman that the 30-odd dead were from “across the country”. “Around 40 to 50 percent of those who died were due to the indirect effect of the cyclone,” Col. Abdullah said.
But it is not clear whether the majority of the dead were mainly citizens (Omanis) or residents (expatriates). So answers to these and many other questions which were being fielded by many in Oman from anxious family members, relatives and friends from around the world still remain unanswered.
However, relief efforts are in full swing. The Inspector General of Police and Customs himself was at the helm of such efforts too. Col. Abdullah noted that Lt. General Malik bin Sulaiman Al Ma’amari was himself “leading the operations” to open a key road to Amerat, which was destroyed in the floods.
But, water scarcity has become the major problem for a population that is slowly coming into terms with an unusual and devastating occurrence, such as a cyclone.
The water problem became more acute as water tankers began to refuse to supply water, as was seen in the capital area yesterday. The water tanker drivers gave many excuses for not supplying the water to the parched and angry people, who were without supplies ever since snags hit the major distribution centre, following the cyclone Gonu’s fiery entry into Oman.
“We are making all efforts to reach water supplies to the public. Currently, repair work is going on at the main water supply tanks,” Col. Abdullah said, adding that supplies would soon be restored in Qurum, and then followed by Bausher, Al Ghubrah, Seeb and other areas by today (Saturday).
Col. Abdullah also said that measures would be taken against all those who abuse the current situation to their benefit. To a query on those water tankers who were reportedly charging nearly 10 times (or more) the usual price to fill a single residential water tank, Col. Abdullah said: “We are urging all such victims to report the name, the tanker number to us and we will take necessary steps to prosecute them.”
He also noted that all government level mechanisms were being drawn to not only bring such unscrupulous elements to the book, but also ensure that the people receive the best services that they could provide. He reeled out many ad-hoc water depots which provided free potable waters. He also called water tankers (and even the public having large water tanks) to come and fill water from these depots. “The water tankers can fill from here and they can provide the water free to people. Whatever charges incurred can be billed to the government,” Col. Abdullah said. Couple of trailers packed with mineral water were also available in Al Ghubrah and Bausher areas, he added.
“But, I would request the public to avoid cleaning their cars, their homes, or their clothes using such rare water supplies. We would like to request them to bear with us and wait patiently to do all of this until the government water supply is restored. We are still in the crisis stage, as far as the water is concerned. Try to share water with your neighbours,” he said, stressing that this was not the time to indulge in personal luxury or engage in activities to promote creature comfort.
As for the affected houses in the storm, Col. Abdullah said: “Preventive measures are being undertaken. We are right in the middle of it. Efforts are being taken to see that no one is dying of starvation, lack of food, medication and also water.”
The official noted that there was no food shortage in Oman. “We have enough stocks to last the whole of this month,” he said, noting that there was a unit located in Seeb, if there was an emergency. “But, for the moment, we are sure that if one house does not have it, they will get it from their neighbours. No one should for luxury at the moment, but enough to survive,” he said, also adding one of the main commercial centres, Lulu, was providing free mineral water to the public.
To a query, Col. Abdullah noted that “Sur was comfortable. Adhoc roads are being done, ships with food supplies have been sent. Smaller ports were being used for this purpose.
“Sur has recovered well. The land (main lines) lines are working. And the GSM (mobile phone) lines will soon be restored.
“Essential foods supplies are also being sent to Quriyat. Fuel supplies, generators for the hospitals there are also being provided. We are also reaching food supplies with the use of helicopters.”
Such relief operations were being done with the help of the national defence personnel, the official said.
“We have managed to evacuate people from Ras Al Hadd. People are returning but it will take some time for rehabilitation.”
Col. Abdullah also noted that the critically ill or those requiring emergency medical services, even in the capital area have been airlifted to the local hospitals. “We have lifted around 30 to 40 people for such emergency services,” he said. “We are doing these services. However, we need to prioritize. Many do not understand this. Our message to them and all is:
“Please have trust in God and please have trust in us. We are facing obstacles from every side, so please bear with us! We cannot do miracles, we are only human being, but, together, we will solve all the problems!”