Oman death toll hits 11; Sultanate lashed by rains

Locals view the damage left behind by the tropical storm Keila that hit the country on the Arab peninsula, Muscat, Oman, 02 November 2011. Hospitals in the capital were evacuated and the official Oman News Agency says the rains are not expected to ease until 03 November.

Published Thursday, November 03, 2011

By AP/AFP

Rescue crews in Oman have moved patients from a flooded hospital and are warning about more torrents as deadly rains lash the Arabian peninsula nation.

Nearly 11 deaths have been blamed on the storms coming off the Indian Ocean this week.

Rains are not uncommon in Oman, which can be affected by seasonal monsoons or cyclones. The latest downpours have caused flash floods and swamped low-lying areas. At Muscat's Al Nahda Hospital, patients were moved after water reached knee deep in some wards.

The official Oman News Agency says the rains are not expected to ease until Thursday.

Storm kills 11

Eleven people, including two children, have been killed in flash floods caused by heavy rains that have hit Oman over the past three days, the Arabian Peninsula state's police announced on Thursday.

"Eleven people died in several of the sultanate's provinces when their vehicles were swept by heavy rains as they drove through valleys," state news agency ONA quoted a police statement as saying.

Four bodies, including those of a six-year-old and a 10-year-old, were found on Thursday.

One body was found on Wednesday while the remaining five were recovered Tuesday, when the storm began.

The police issued a warning urging "maximum caution."

In June 2010, 16 people were killed when a Cyclone Phet hit the Gulf state.

In 2007, Cyclone Gonu tore through Oman, killing at least 49 people and causing damage estimated at $3.9 billion.

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