Downpours in Oman kill at least 17, including schoolchildren

Heavy rainfall in Oman caused flash flooding, resulting in at least 17 deaths as rescuers searched for survivors, the Associated Press reported on Monday.

In one incident, a group of school children and a driver died when their vehicle was overtaken by the flood, the source added.

It also noted that heavy rains were also expected in neighboring Dubai and other regions of the Arabian Peninsula.

The Royal Oman Police and the Omani military were deployed to the hardest-hit North Al Sharqiyah province to transport citizens out of flooded areas, the news agency mentioned.

Flooding is common in Oman during heavy rainfall, often drawing people to dry riverbeds known as “wadi,” which can quickly fill and wash away people and vehicles.