Oman urges residents to evacuate as tropical storm Shaheen strengthens
High waves break on the Mutrah seaside promenade in Muscat. AFP
Heavy rain caused floods in the streets of Al Ashkharah on Saturday prompting authorities in Oman to evacuate coastal areas.
Thousands of residents in coastal areas were urged to leave their homes and head to emergency shelters on Saturday as the Gulf state braced for tropical storm Shaheen to intensify into a category 1 tropical cyclone.
Due to the adverse climate conditions being witnessed by the Sultanate and, in coordination with the National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) and to ensure safety of public and private employees, it was decided that Sunday and Monday, 3 and 4 October 2021 will be an official holiday for employees of the departments of the state administrative apparatus, other legal entities and private sector's establishments, except the Governorates of Dhofar and Al Wusta.
Private sector business owners may keep their employees working in the above-mentioned days, if deemed necessary to continue work during this holiday.
This is without prejudice to measures of health and occupational safety. In this case, the workers have to be compensated.
