Hi, here we go again.
The Radio Sultanate of Oman has been doing a great job in the last 24 hours.
There has been a deluge of informative reports by their team. Thanks to them, here below is the third report for the day.
Admad
MUSCAT – Oman has, in the last 24 hours, made 240 airlifts providing food and other essentials to those in storm affected areas, and provided around 800 rescue and other missions, which was operated by the Royal Oman Airforce.
Brigadier Saud Al Habsi, assistant chief of staff for operations and planning of the Sultan’s Armed Forces told state radio (8.30pm) that these sorties were made to villages mainly in Quriyat, Sur and Wadi A’ Taiyeen, which were inaccessible by road.
In addition to this, the Sultanate’s authorities sent six ships with “all requirements” to wilayats in Quriyat. “Until now, six ships have been sent from Port Sultan Qaboos, and this will continue for the next 24 hours,” Brigadier Al Habsi said.
Relief efforts were continuing in full swing, and villages requiring major assistance were those located in jebels, and inaccessible by road.
The brigadier noted that the road to Quriyat was open and supplies were now being easily reached and a lot quicker than before. “Villages located in the jebels required many airlifts,” he said.
“The plan of action for the next two days was to continue their assistance to all other ministries and government organizations to open the roads to Quriyat and Wadi A’ Taiyeen and provide the villages there with necessary supplies.
The forces were working jointly with the national defence force’s committee and the ministry of housing and electricity and water to restore water supplies. “And this is going well. “Inshallah, I think, step by step, we will sort out this problem and restore the normal flow of life slowly, but surely,” Brigadier Habsi said.
The third desalination unit of the main Al Ghubrah desalination plant has begun operations and providing 11 to 18 million gallons of water to parched Seeb and surrounding areas, official reports said.
Salvage operations were also in full swing in many of the affected areas, reports added.
Meanwhile, the head of the Oman Charitable Organisation (OCO), Ali Ibrahim Shenoon, has said that the charity has distributed 429 tons of foodstuff to those in need and they were continuing with their volunteer efforts.
Ends/Admad/Gonu-Oman-Fourth Day- third report
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Gonu-newsfeeds, June 9, 2007
Hi, here are two reports on the fourth day post Gonu.
When will I ever learn to blog? I mean, really blog and not just post reports.
I am a slow learner, so let me learn, slowly...
Admad
Report 1:
MUSCAT – A senior Omani health official played down the fear of the outbreak of any diseases in the wake of cyclone Gonu in Oman. The ominous presence of pools of rain and wadi water in many areas, huge gatherings of evacuees in shelters pose possible health threats like water borne diseases, which could spread like wildfire in such crisis situations. But, Dr Ali bin Jaffer bin Suleiman, supervisor of the directorate general of health services, ministry of health (MoH) told state radio that there was no reason for such fear.Diseases like cholera, malaria, dengue fever, polio etc., were unlikely to occur in Oman, because enough precautions have been taken for the same. Moreover, these diseases have either been eradicated, controlled or contained for the last many years. Outbreaks of some of these diseases have not occurred for many years, the official stressed. “We have had no cases of cholera, save for one or two imported ones, for more than a decade. “Malaria has been eradicated since some time now. Moreover, malaria parasites are transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes, which do not exist in Oman. And similarly, there is no need of concern for dengue fever too,” he said.Although human congregations in shelters and water logging could bring in diseases like measles and other respiratory illnesses, thanks to proper medical coverage and immunisation measures, such fears can also be ruled out. “Thanks to the thousands of parents in Oman, we have around 99percent measles coverage, while polio is also eradicated,” Dr Ali Jaffer said, adding however, that precaution should be taken for diseases like diarrhea and other water borne diseases borne by consuming contaminated water.He urged the public not to drink wadi water. “Some people are doing that, and I don’t think that is a good idea as there are chances that the wadi water is contaminated now.”Due medical attention was provided for the elderly and otherwise medically indisposed segment of the public. Those who are unable to travel to the hospitals because of non existent roads and the like are being air lifted to hospitals. In excess of 30 such patients have been given medical services. Since some key roads to areas like Al Amerat and Quriyat are open, these patients are also obtaining medical support. He also noted all hospitals, even the ones that were shut temporarily, are fully operational. “Al Nahda Hospital in Wattayah was shut down for a day, but now it is operational. Both of the other main hospitals, Khoula and Royal (Hospital) are working to the full capacity.“Sur hospital was cut off, because of the lack of roads and communication, but since Friday, the hospital has been functioning.” Hospitals in the Sharqiyah region are also functioning and mobile clinics were also providing their services to the displaced public. “We have been prepared for the situation, so everything is under control,” he said.Meanwhile, the water worry still posed a problem for the public in the capital area. While officials reassured that supplied would be restored soon, an official revealed to the FM English Radio Sultanate of Oman that it would take at least 10 days for the water situation to be “completely normalized”. “We are working around the clock to restore water supplied and if things goes well, we might even bring the situation back to normal before 10 days,” the official said. However, water was being pumped from 20 bore wells and so areas like Seeb and Barka will be getting five million gallons and seven million gallons of water, respectively, from these wells. “We are hoping to get another pump organized. If we succeed, we will be getting close to 20 million gallons of water from Barka to Seeb area,” Engineer Said told the radio, adding that they would also be pumping water to the Bausher area. “Water was being rationed off in several areas already. On Friday night we provided the Qurum area, today (Saturday) we are providing to Bausher and then we will be pumping water to Wattayah, Ruwi, Wadi Kabir, Muscat and rotate it back to Bausher. “We have also supplied water to tanker water filling stations in many areas.”Meanwhile, provisions’ armed volunteers were in full swing, doing their bit to provide essential services to the displaced public. Ahmed Rayees, the Muscat-based son of the Indian minister of state for external affairs, E. Ahmed, yesterday said that they have targeted many areas, especially the hard hit area of Al Ghubrah and were providing relief. “We have managed to provide food and water to thousands of people. But, it is not enough. We are desperately trying to get drinking water supplies from Dubai and even from Sohar, but we have not been successful,” Rayees, who is also the president of the posh Indian School Al Ghubrah (ISG) and general manager of Al Dastoor Contracting in Muscat. He noted that there was virtually none in Al Ghubrah who was not affected in some form or the other. “Most of the ground floor areas of buildings in Al Ghubrah are destroyed. Many have several inches of slush and it is quite a task to get them removed.”He noted they have taken all measures to safeguard the several hundreds staff of the school ISG) they run. Volunteers of the Art of Living (AoL), and several ad-hoc Omani volunteer groups were also contributing their mite to this cause.While the AoL distributed food, blankets and other essential to the Oman Charitable Organisation (OCO) on Friday, yesterday, they provided a truck load of water, an AoL Oman member, Rajiv Ahuja said.
Ends/Admad/Gonu - fourth day update
Report 2:
MUSCAT – Official reports yesterday maintained the same death toll figures as on Friday, following Cyclone Gonu in Oman.Officials of the storm ravaged country maintained that around 49 were dead and 27 missing, the same figures that they had unveiled on Friday.However, unofficial sources claimed that above 50 died and more than triple that number were missing or unaccounted so far. While there was no official means to corroborate that, a palpable fear lay among the people because they were unable to establish contact with many of their friends, acquaintances and fellow workers owing to the lack of communication in several areas. This is despite partial restoration in some cases and near complete restoration of the communication lines in the hard hit areas.Muscat is seen as the worst hit area, and several popular locales of the capital was virtually unrecognizable. Amongst the many disruptions, several school examinations for Omani students were postponed owing to the storm and post-storm related problems.Officials of the Ministry of Education (MoE) yesterday noted that they had postponed the examinations for Omani students in the Muscat governorate and Al Sharqiyah region.Exams of the Grades Vth to XIth (five to eleven) of the primary and general education schools and the Islamic, Cultural and Social Studies; history and geography exams of the Grade XII (twelve) in the governorate of Muscat and in the north Sharqiyah region were postponed until further notice. A MoE statement also noted that exams for Grade V to XI students in governorate of Dhofar, Buraimi, Musandam, north and south Batinah, Al Dhahirah, Al Dakhliyah, northern Sharqiyah and Al Wusta region will resume today (Sunday) as per the original schedule. Meanwhile, Oman’s council of ministers convened a special meeting yesterday (Saturday) to look into the extent of damage caused by the cyclone and the ways and means to deal with the Gonu aftermath. This meeting came as part of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s royal attention to his public and care for their welfare, a radio report said, adding that ruler of Oman was continuously monitoring the events following the storm and making sure that proper effort is being taken to restore normalcy in the storm ravaged country. Ends/Admad/Gonu/Fourth Day/IInd report
When will I ever learn to blog? I mean, really blog and not just post reports.
I am a slow learner, so let me learn, slowly...
Admad
Report 1:
MUSCAT – A senior Omani health official played down the fear of the outbreak of any diseases in the wake of cyclone Gonu in Oman. The ominous presence of pools of rain and wadi water in many areas, huge gatherings of evacuees in shelters pose possible health threats like water borne diseases, which could spread like wildfire in such crisis situations. But, Dr Ali bin Jaffer bin Suleiman, supervisor of the directorate general of health services, ministry of health (MoH) told state radio that there was no reason for such fear.Diseases like cholera, malaria, dengue fever, polio etc., were unlikely to occur in Oman, because enough precautions have been taken for the same. Moreover, these diseases have either been eradicated, controlled or contained for the last many years. Outbreaks of some of these diseases have not occurred for many years, the official stressed. “We have had no cases of cholera, save for one or two imported ones, for more than a decade. “Malaria has been eradicated since some time now. Moreover, malaria parasites are transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes, which do not exist in Oman. And similarly, there is no need of concern for dengue fever too,” he said.Although human congregations in shelters and water logging could bring in diseases like measles and other respiratory illnesses, thanks to proper medical coverage and immunisation measures, such fears can also be ruled out. “Thanks to the thousands of parents in Oman, we have around 99percent measles coverage, while polio is also eradicated,” Dr Ali Jaffer said, adding however, that precaution should be taken for diseases like diarrhea and other water borne diseases borne by consuming contaminated water.He urged the public not to drink wadi water. “Some people are doing that, and I don’t think that is a good idea as there are chances that the wadi water is contaminated now.”Due medical attention was provided for the elderly and otherwise medically indisposed segment of the public. Those who are unable to travel to the hospitals because of non existent roads and the like are being air lifted to hospitals. In excess of 30 such patients have been given medical services. Since some key roads to areas like Al Amerat and Quriyat are open, these patients are also obtaining medical support. He also noted all hospitals, even the ones that were shut temporarily, are fully operational. “Al Nahda Hospital in Wattayah was shut down for a day, but now it is operational. Both of the other main hospitals, Khoula and Royal (Hospital) are working to the full capacity.“Sur hospital was cut off, because of the lack of roads and communication, but since Friday, the hospital has been functioning.” Hospitals in the Sharqiyah region are also functioning and mobile clinics were also providing their services to the displaced public. “We have been prepared for the situation, so everything is under control,” he said.Meanwhile, the water worry still posed a problem for the public in the capital area. While officials reassured that supplied would be restored soon, an official revealed to the FM English Radio Sultanate of Oman that it would take at least 10 days for the water situation to be “completely normalized”. “We are working around the clock to restore water supplied and if things goes well, we might even bring the situation back to normal before 10 days,” the official said. However, water was being pumped from 20 bore wells and so areas like Seeb and Barka will be getting five million gallons and seven million gallons of water, respectively, from these wells. “We are hoping to get another pump organized. If we succeed, we will be getting close to 20 million gallons of water from Barka to Seeb area,” Engineer Said told the radio, adding that they would also be pumping water to the Bausher area. “Water was being rationed off in several areas already. On Friday night we provided the Qurum area, today (Saturday) we are providing to Bausher and then we will be pumping water to Wattayah, Ruwi, Wadi Kabir, Muscat and rotate it back to Bausher. “We have also supplied water to tanker water filling stations in many areas.”Meanwhile, provisions’ armed volunteers were in full swing, doing their bit to provide essential services to the displaced public. Ahmed Rayees, the Muscat-based son of the Indian minister of state for external affairs, E. Ahmed, yesterday said that they have targeted many areas, especially the hard hit area of Al Ghubrah and were providing relief. “We have managed to provide food and water to thousands of people. But, it is not enough. We are desperately trying to get drinking water supplies from Dubai and even from Sohar, but we have not been successful,” Rayees, who is also the president of the posh Indian School Al Ghubrah (ISG) and general manager of Al Dastoor Contracting in Muscat. He noted that there was virtually none in Al Ghubrah who was not affected in some form or the other. “Most of the ground floor areas of buildings in Al Ghubrah are destroyed. Many have several inches of slush and it is quite a task to get them removed.”He noted they have taken all measures to safeguard the several hundreds staff of the school ISG) they run. Volunteers of the Art of Living (AoL), and several ad-hoc Omani volunteer groups were also contributing their mite to this cause.While the AoL distributed food, blankets and other essential to the Oman Charitable Organisation (OCO) on Friday, yesterday, they provided a truck load of water, an AoL Oman member, Rajiv Ahuja said.
Ends/Admad/Gonu - fourth day update
Report 2:
MUSCAT – Official reports yesterday maintained the same death toll figures as on Friday, following Cyclone Gonu in Oman.Officials of the storm ravaged country maintained that around 49 were dead and 27 missing, the same figures that they had unveiled on Friday.However, unofficial sources claimed that above 50 died and more than triple that number were missing or unaccounted so far. While there was no official means to corroborate that, a palpable fear lay among the people because they were unable to establish contact with many of their friends, acquaintances and fellow workers owing to the lack of communication in several areas. This is despite partial restoration in some cases and near complete restoration of the communication lines in the hard hit areas.Muscat is seen as the worst hit area, and several popular locales of the capital was virtually unrecognizable. Amongst the many disruptions, several school examinations for Omani students were postponed owing to the storm and post-storm related problems.Officials of the Ministry of Education (MoE) yesterday noted that they had postponed the examinations for Omani students in the Muscat governorate and Al Sharqiyah region.Exams of the Grades Vth to XIth (five to eleven) of the primary and general education schools and the Islamic, Cultural and Social Studies; history and geography exams of the Grade XII (twelve) in the governorate of Muscat and in the north Sharqiyah region were postponed until further notice. A MoE statement also noted that exams for Grade V to XI students in governorate of Dhofar, Buraimi, Musandam, north and south Batinah, Al Dhahirah, Al Dakhliyah, northern Sharqiyah and Al Wusta region will resume today (Sunday) as per the original schedule. Meanwhile, Oman’s council of ministers convened a special meeting yesterday (Saturday) to look into the extent of damage caused by the cyclone and the ways and means to deal with the Gonu aftermath. This meeting came as part of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s royal attention to his public and care for their welfare, a radio report said, adding that ruler of Oman was continuously monitoring the events following the storm and making sure that proper effort is being taken to restore normalcy in the storm ravaged country. Ends/Admad/Gonu/Fourth Day/IInd report
Friday, June 8, 2007
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!”
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!”
Gonu-newsfeeds-June 6, 7.20pm
MUSCAT --
They followed the rules 364 days of the year. But, on the day they broke a simple rule, all hell broke loose, commented Bina Malhotra, a well-known Indian student career counselor in Muscat, who was part of the blessed lot, who confronted cyclone Gonu, and lived to tell the tale.
She, her husband, Pawan Malhotra (who apparently is leaving Oman for good), and her close friends ended up at the Barr Al Jissah resort, some 30-odd kilometers from their home, after being stranded for nearly four hours in the storm. The couple, along with their friends, all experienced off roaders, ventured out on a 4WD (Jeep Commander) with three objectives in mind. They had a birthday party to attend, test drive their new vehicle and most importantly check out the actual effect of the storm. But their adventurous storm chase ended up with the storm chasing them and soon they were in no position to get back to their home. Gonu played party pooper to this adventurous and enterprising lot as they gamely tried to tour the rain and wind afflicted sites of the Capital city, but were soon forced to seek comfort in the safety of a swank hotel. “We started out around 11am and moved across the highway to the Corniche, then went towards Wadi Kabir and upto Barr Al Jissah. We were egged on in our journey by the stupendous sights on the way. Minor waterfalls gushed out of the mountains, the winds tore through the shrubbery and the trees, but suddenly, midway, we realized that our picnic was over!”
Earlier around 11am, they had stopped on the Qurum flyover and had looked at the water logging in several parts, especially around a popular, internationally known, eatery, a shopping mall and other key buildings. “Within an hour and a half, the first floor of the popular eatery was submerged. This was the same case with the shopping mall and other main buildings in the area.
“Suddenly, from a friendly but strong wind and drizzle, the weather metamorphosed into a quirky and temperamental storm that began to wreak havoc. We realized that there was no way to reach our home, so we turned back to the Barr Al Jissah.”
The second time up, the Qantab road, which led to the resort, seemed far more perilous than before. “Small-sized boulders were falling down from the mountain, in fact, one rather huge one, narrowly missed us. Visibility was low, water was pouring from all ends, this time, and the intensity was fiercer. We did not waste any time: we swung our way to the hotel, and booked a room – thanks to one of them, who luckily had a credit card with him, while the others, who joined in did not take any money along because they never realized it was going to be a long trip -- there!”
“A word of praise for the authorities must be given. There is nothing that can be done when natural calamities occur and we are all mere puppets in the clutches of a storm like this. But, we must give due where it is deserved. All the ROP personnel whom we met in our path were extremely courteous and greatly helpful, within their limitations, of course!” Beena said.
She also had a word of advise for other motorists: “We have been foolish enough to venture out. Of course, we enjoyed it, but we would never advise anyone to venture out on the roads. Like, I said, we never break any rules, and for the last 364 days, we did not break any. But today, when we did, we were stuck in the storm. And we were let off lightly, this could not be the same case for everyone, so please don’t venture outdoors!”
They followed the rules 364 days of the year. But, on the day they broke a simple rule, all hell broke loose, commented Bina Malhotra, a well-known Indian student career counselor in Muscat, who was part of the blessed lot, who confronted cyclone Gonu, and lived to tell the tale.
She, her husband, Pawan Malhotra (who apparently is leaving Oman for good), and her close friends ended up at the Barr Al Jissah resort, some 30-odd kilometers from their home, after being stranded for nearly four hours in the storm. The couple, along with their friends, all experienced off roaders, ventured out on a 4WD (Jeep Commander) with three objectives in mind. They had a birthday party to attend, test drive their new vehicle and most importantly check out the actual effect of the storm. But their adventurous storm chase ended up with the storm chasing them and soon they were in no position to get back to their home. Gonu played party pooper to this adventurous and enterprising lot as they gamely tried to tour the rain and wind afflicted sites of the Capital city, but were soon forced to seek comfort in the safety of a swank hotel. “We started out around 11am and moved across the highway to the Corniche, then went towards Wadi Kabir and upto Barr Al Jissah. We were egged on in our journey by the stupendous sights on the way. Minor waterfalls gushed out of the mountains, the winds tore through the shrubbery and the trees, but suddenly, midway, we realized that our picnic was over!”
Earlier around 11am, they had stopped on the Qurum flyover and had looked at the water logging in several parts, especially around a popular, internationally known, eatery, a shopping mall and other key buildings. “Within an hour and a half, the first floor of the popular eatery was submerged. This was the same case with the shopping mall and other main buildings in the area.
“Suddenly, from a friendly but strong wind and drizzle, the weather metamorphosed into a quirky and temperamental storm that began to wreak havoc. We realized that there was no way to reach our home, so we turned back to the Barr Al Jissah.”
The second time up, the Qantab road, which led to the resort, seemed far more perilous than before. “Small-sized boulders were falling down from the mountain, in fact, one rather huge one, narrowly missed us. Visibility was low, water was pouring from all ends, this time, and the intensity was fiercer. We did not waste any time: we swung our way to the hotel, and booked a room – thanks to one of them, who luckily had a credit card with him, while the others, who joined in did not take any money along because they never realized it was going to be a long trip -- there!”
“A word of praise for the authorities must be given. There is nothing that can be done when natural calamities occur and we are all mere puppets in the clutches of a storm like this. But, we must give due where it is deserved. All the ROP personnel whom we met in our path were extremely courteous and greatly helpful, within their limitations, of course!” Beena said.
She also had a word of advise for other motorists: “We have been foolish enough to venture out. Of course, we enjoyed it, but we would never advise anyone to venture out on the roads. Like, I said, we never break any rules, and for the last 364 days, we did not break any. But today, when we did, we were stuck in the storm. And we were let off lightly, this could not be the same case for everyone, so please don’t venture outdoors!”
Gonu-newsfeeds-June 6, 7pm
MUSCAT – Someone was noisily prising out the asbestos sheet on the makeshift, illegally-constructed wooden bedroom that our neighbour had constructed on top of his building, in a residential area in Darsait ( in Muscat, the capital of Oman). This bedroom was not facing the road and so it had escaped the eyes of the Muscat Municipality. However, it could not escape the ‘eyes’ of Gonu, an unusual tropical storm that hit the Sultanate yesterday.
In fact, Gonu, or the stormy winds and the rains that accompanied it, spared nothing in its destructive path, especially in the interior regions of the Sultanate.
Since communication lines in many parts of the interior area are down, there was no way of knowing what is happening there, or even, what has happened, the extent of the damage caused by Gonu, etc. It, as they say, is that bad. So bad, that my poor parents, somewhere in Kerala, India, were constantly making long distance calls to see whether their two sons (my brother and his family is also in Muscat) are safe and sound, ever since Indian news channels began airing grim scenes of water flooding, cars being washed away and people from low-lying areas being evacuated to safer areas.
A friend phoned in around 6pm (Wednesday) noting that there was major flooding in some parts of the Azaiba area, which is located some 30-odd kilometers from my home. He was concerned about his friend and family, who were stuck with many others on the second floor of their building, located near the Oman Oil Pump. I phoned Ashraf, who sounded distressed and totally disoriented. “There are around 40 of us holed on the second floor, water is flowing on all sides of this building and already clambering up the first floor,” he said. “Is it someone from the media, tell them that there are families here, tell them to call the authorities concerned,” I heard someone calling out from the background. But, there was no way these folks could be rescued at the moment, for access to their building was totally cut off.
P.M. Jabir, a well known social worker and scribe for the Kairali TV channel, noted how a building in Wadi Adai collapsed and how many Indians, stranded on top of the building, were also washed away. As I type this, Kairali and Asianet are reporting these unfortunate incidents as part of their regular news update on Gonu from Oman.
So, although many people laughed it off, it is no laughing matter, as the storm spiraled around many parts of Oman, damaging what it (and the rains and the winds accompanying it) thought fit to destroy.
So many cases of people getting stranded with no way of them being rescued, trees being uprooted, even first floor of buildings being slowly submerged began floating around began spreading, creating more panic in an already panic-ridden, storm stricken folks, some of whom took necessary precaution by stocking up provisions from Tuesday morning onwards, when the official warnings began.
My home is located in Darsait, a kilometer or two, away from the Central Business District (CBD) area, in the capital city. And the garden in front of our villa looks like a tornado has hit it. Well, a cyclone, to be precise.
As news updates on the Oman FM radio and the Oman TV on the damage caused by Gonu trickled in, the underlying theme was on caution and a strict stay-at-home-or-get-caught-in-the-storm request by the authorities concerned, who apparently had its force out in full to employ damage control, which apparently they were successfully engaged in.
It is bad. So bad that the Royal Oman Police (ROP) advised citizens and residents – even in the Capital area -- to stay put in their homes and not venture out, even for provisions during the storm peak period, which was said to be around 12pm to 6pm. “Many cars have been washed away and even if you venture out for petrol or provisions, you will simply get stuck. Besides, none of the petrol stations, provisions or grocery stores are open,” Col. Abdullah Al Harthy of the ROP told the Oman FM Radio. Gonu struck Muscat around lunchtime, bringing high winds and heavy rain. Reports noted that the storm had moved up the coast after making landfall in the eastern region in the early hours of Wednesday morning. But even nearing 7pm, the wind, nor the rain let up, except briefly in the capital area.
Outside my living room, a strong wind is still howling. It seems to permeate from within the leafy garden of my mother-in-law. The howling resembled that of a savage, after it had wreaked maximum havoc there, pulling non-sturdy plants from the root, knocking down garden chairs, making weak pots, plastic containers, leaves, small branches literally blowing in the wind. One could take the howling, but the heart beats more than a little, when even the howls are drowned by the sirens of police and ambulance vehicles, streaking through the storm, making their rescue bids.
Latest reports reveal that the intensity of the storm had weakened and that it was heading away from the capital area towards the Batinah region. That should send some relief to the citizens and residents of Muscat. But, try telling that to Sundari, my Pomeranian, who has been cowering under the bed since morning. Tell that to my parents, who are still calling us to see if everything is okay. Sorry, gotta go, my folks are on the line again.
In fact, Gonu, or the stormy winds and the rains that accompanied it, spared nothing in its destructive path, especially in the interior regions of the Sultanate.
Since communication lines in many parts of the interior area are down, there was no way of knowing what is happening there, or even, what has happened, the extent of the damage caused by Gonu, etc. It, as they say, is that bad. So bad, that my poor parents, somewhere in Kerala, India, were constantly making long distance calls to see whether their two sons (my brother and his family is also in Muscat) are safe and sound, ever since Indian news channels began airing grim scenes of water flooding, cars being washed away and people from low-lying areas being evacuated to safer areas.
A friend phoned in around 6pm (Wednesday) noting that there was major flooding in some parts of the Azaiba area, which is located some 30-odd kilometers from my home. He was concerned about his friend and family, who were stuck with many others on the second floor of their building, located near the Oman Oil Pump. I phoned Ashraf, who sounded distressed and totally disoriented. “There are around 40 of us holed on the second floor, water is flowing on all sides of this building and already clambering up the first floor,” he said. “Is it someone from the media, tell them that there are families here, tell them to call the authorities concerned,” I heard someone calling out from the background. But, there was no way these folks could be rescued at the moment, for access to their building was totally cut off.
P.M. Jabir, a well known social worker and scribe for the Kairali TV channel, noted how a building in Wadi Adai collapsed and how many Indians, stranded on top of the building, were also washed away. As I type this, Kairali and Asianet are reporting these unfortunate incidents as part of their regular news update on Gonu from Oman.
So, although many people laughed it off, it is no laughing matter, as the storm spiraled around many parts of Oman, damaging what it (and the rains and the winds accompanying it) thought fit to destroy.
So many cases of people getting stranded with no way of them being rescued, trees being uprooted, even first floor of buildings being slowly submerged began floating around began spreading, creating more panic in an already panic-ridden, storm stricken folks, some of whom took necessary precaution by stocking up provisions from Tuesday morning onwards, when the official warnings began.
My home is located in Darsait, a kilometer or two, away from the Central Business District (CBD) area, in the capital city. And the garden in front of our villa looks like a tornado has hit it. Well, a cyclone, to be precise.
As news updates on the Oman FM radio and the Oman TV on the damage caused by Gonu trickled in, the underlying theme was on caution and a strict stay-at-home-or-get-caught-in-the-storm request by the authorities concerned, who apparently had its force out in full to employ damage control, which apparently they were successfully engaged in.
It is bad. So bad that the Royal Oman Police (ROP) advised citizens and residents – even in the Capital area -- to stay put in their homes and not venture out, even for provisions during the storm peak period, which was said to be around 12pm to 6pm. “Many cars have been washed away and even if you venture out for petrol or provisions, you will simply get stuck. Besides, none of the petrol stations, provisions or grocery stores are open,” Col. Abdullah Al Harthy of the ROP told the Oman FM Radio. Gonu struck Muscat around lunchtime, bringing high winds and heavy rain. Reports noted that the storm had moved up the coast after making landfall in the eastern region in the early hours of Wednesday morning. But even nearing 7pm, the wind, nor the rain let up, except briefly in the capital area.
Outside my living room, a strong wind is still howling. It seems to permeate from within the leafy garden of my mother-in-law. The howling resembled that of a savage, after it had wreaked maximum havoc there, pulling non-sturdy plants from the root, knocking down garden chairs, making weak pots, plastic containers, leaves, small branches literally blowing in the wind. One could take the howling, but the heart beats more than a little, when even the howls are drowned by the sirens of police and ambulance vehicles, streaking through the storm, making their rescue bids.
Latest reports reveal that the intensity of the storm had weakened and that it was heading away from the capital area towards the Batinah region. That should send some relief to the citizens and residents of Muscat. But, try telling that to Sundari, my Pomeranian, who has been cowering under the bed since morning. Tell that to my parents, who are still calling us to see if everything is okay. Sorry, gotta go, my folks are on the line again.
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