Better every day - after Gonu, 14th June
For many people in Muscat, life appears to be getting back to normal. Friends have returned to their homes and are online, so electricity is back and water supplies are being restored intermittently. They remark on how the catastrophe has brought people much more closely together and how people in all communities are helping each other.
For the more affluent, there was general relief when the management of 'The Wave' emailed those who have bought property in the development, to inform them that:
On the other hand, "scores were reported to have lost all their household belongings and vehicles." Oman Observer 9th June. "Individuals suffered the biggest financial losses in the storm, as Gonu swept through residential areas, taking cars with it and leaving shops and houses damaged or destroyed, said Hamood bin Sangoor al-Zidgali, chief executive of Oman's central bank."
A photo in Gulf News of 14th June shows lines of volunteers organised by the private charity, Dar al-Atta'a, relaying provisions in Al Khuwair.
The Oman Observer of 11th June revealed that "thanks to a well belonging to the Wahaibi family, residents of Ruwi are getting enough water."
Water supply, according to Saeed Bin Mohammed Al Nabhani, Director General of Water Supplies at the Ministry of Electricity and Water, could take another three to four weeks to get back to normal? Why? According to an entry on a Facebook group, Together with Oman against Gonu , "the water supply will be back once some gas in the desalination plant has been pressurized bak to its normal level... and to do tht they hav to bring down some foreign company."
The International Herald Tribune, quoting an AP report, stated "The government has not asked for international help and did not accept the U.S. Navy's offer of aid."
The Ghubrah desalination plant manager Allen Conroy, told Oman Observer (published 12th June) that 90% of capacity had been restored.
Not widely reported, it's possible that the devastation was even worse in southern Iran where a man told the Gulf News that "every house in his hometown had been swept away by floods."
Published figures still put the number of dead in Oman as at least 49 - with more than two dozen missing. Again, friends in Muscat put the figure much higher.
The situation is still far worse in Quriyat and even in Sur where, although, there was not too much reported damage to infrastructure, people have been without food supplies and water for a week. Where there are shortages, so the price of available resources rocket. Bottled water, food, and bottled gas have all risen dramatically in price in the worst affected areas. Oman Observer, 12th June. One resident complained that when there was a food drop, crowds rushed in to claim them, creating havoc.
Amerat suffered most from being cut off from Muscat rather than from experiencing heavy damage to property. Traffic jams 3 lines thick, of cars taking relief to families in Amerat, formed on the graded track which has now been forged through Wadi Adai, once it was opened.
National Construction Company (NCC), which had been working on the dualisation of the Muscat-Al Amerat road, hadbrought its heavy plant into operation to create the road link. The company reports that the road between Amerat and Quriyat has been breached in numerous places and a bridge has been brought down.
Talking to Oman Tribune, HE Sheikh Seif Bin Mohammed Al Shabibi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Housing, Electricity and Water, said "drinking water supply has returned to normal in Muscat adding that the grave damage to the connection network was hindering supply in the main tanks in some areas, but that severe damage to roads in Al Amerat and Quriyat was preventing specialised teams from access to connection networks, which had been hindering repair work."
Companies such as Lulu and McDonald’s Oman have been sending food parcels and blankets to Sur and Quriyat.
Nawras, Oman's second mobile telephone network, has been using helicopters not only to restore its communication network but also to distribute aid and connect generators with the voluntary assistance of its employees, giving credit to enable people to contact family and friends, providing Muscat Municipality with contact numbers, and providing SMS facilities for people to donate to Oman Charitable Organisation. The company has won a large number of customers as a result.
The military have taken charge of operations in Sharqiyah, clearing roads, airlifting supplies, installing water distribution points and providing medical services.
1,000 people turned up for the Muscat beach clean-up between the Crowne Plaza Hotel and the Ghubrah desalination plant on 14th June.
Following a meeting chaired by HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said on Monday, two royal directives creating two emergency committees, were announced.
The first will be headed by the Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, with the task of assessing and inventorying of damage to citizens’ houses and properties. "The second committee, to be headed by the Minister of National Economy and Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council, will be tasked with repair of the infrastructure, such as, roads, bridges, electric and water connections and other affected services, giving priority to implement these projects and taking into account good preparation for such circumstances in the reconstruction." Oman Observer, 12th June 2007.
His Majesty also announced the creation of a relief fund to which RO7 million was already committed, which will be open for donations. The Ministry of Education has reversed its previous decision to cancel exams. These will now begin on 23rd June.
The infrastructure committee met on 13th June under the chairmanship of Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, National Economy Minister and Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council. "Reconstruction works shall be allocated to local contractors and priority shall be given to infrastructure repairs and all other services instead of the ongoing seventh Five-Year Plan projects." Oman Observer, 13th June.
One assumes that local contractors are more immediately accessible than foreign contractors, and more answerable for any shortcomings.
What is becoming apparent is that it was not the wind and the rain that caused damage per se, but the flow of immense quantities of water from the mountains into the wadi systems.
For the more affluent, there was general relief when the management of 'The Wave' emailed those who have bought property in the development, to inform them that:
We are pleased to be able to advise you that our site and building works suffered little damage. The building program resumed on the 9th of June 2007, 3 days after the event, although it is not yet at full pace.Employees of The Wave were reported to be helping Muscat Municipality and various charity organisations.
None of the filled land flooded and the reclaimed area was undamaged. Despite the cyclonic conditions the surge did not cross the line of dunes, and the show apartments, which are right on the beach, were untouched save for some minor water leakage through the temporary air conditioning system.
On the other hand, "scores were reported to have lost all their household belongings and vehicles." Oman Observer 9th June. "Individuals suffered the biggest financial losses in the storm, as Gonu swept through residential areas, taking cars with it and leaving shops and houses damaged or destroyed, said Hamood bin Sangoor al-Zidgali, chief executive of Oman's central bank."
A photo in Gulf News of 14th June shows lines of volunteers organised by the private charity, Dar al-Atta'a, relaying provisions in Al Khuwair.
The charity coordinates with two relief camps set up at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex at Baushar and at the Mohanna Bin Sultan School.Many young Omanis have taken initiative to help the distressed including three youths who took a boat from Marina Bander al Rawdha to ferry supplies to Quriyat.
Ikhlas Al Hashemi, spokesperson for Dar Al Atta (House of Giving), said over 1,000 people are being provided shelter and food at these camps. "Our volunteers go from house to house to extend help wherever possible."
Ikhlas said response from the residents has been overwhelming. "People are coming forward wholeheartedly and a company even donated 10,000 Omani riyals for the relief work."
The Oman Observer of 11th June revealed that "thanks to a well belonging to the Wahaibi family, residents of Ruwi are getting enough water."
Water supply, according to Saeed Bin Mohammed Al Nabhani, Director General of Water Supplies at the Ministry of Electricity and Water, could take another three to four weeks to get back to normal? Why? According to an entry on a Facebook group, Together with Oman against Gonu , "the water supply will be back once some gas in the desalination plant has been pressurized bak to its normal level... and to do tht they hav to bring down some foreign company."
The International Herald Tribune, quoting an AP report, stated "The government has not asked for international help and did not accept the U.S. Navy's offer of aid."
The Ghubrah desalination plant manager Allen Conroy, told Oman Observer (published 12th June) that 90% of capacity had been restored.
Not widely reported, it's possible that the devastation was even worse in southern Iran where a man told the Gulf News that "every house in his hometown had been swept away by floods."
Published figures still put the number of dead in Oman as at least 49 - with more than two dozen missing. Again, friends in Muscat put the figure much higher.
The situation is still far worse in Quriyat and even in Sur where, although, there was not too much reported damage to infrastructure, people have been without food supplies and water for a week. Where there are shortages, so the price of available resources rocket. Bottled water, food, and bottled gas have all risen dramatically in price in the worst affected areas. Oman Observer, 12th June. One resident complained that when there was a food drop, crowds rushed in to claim them, creating havoc.
Amerat suffered most from being cut off from Muscat rather than from experiencing heavy damage to property. Traffic jams 3 lines thick, of cars taking relief to families in Amerat, formed on the graded track which has now been forged through Wadi Adai, once it was opened.
National Construction Company (NCC), which had been working on the dualisation of the Muscat-Al Amerat road, hadbrought its heavy plant into operation to create the road link. The company reports that the road between Amerat and Quriyat has been breached in numerous places and a bridge has been brought down.
Talking to Oman Tribune, HE Sheikh Seif Bin Mohammed Al Shabibi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Housing, Electricity and Water, said "drinking water supply has returned to normal in Muscat adding that the grave damage to the connection network was hindering supply in the main tanks in some areas, but that severe damage to roads in Al Amerat and Quriyat was preventing specialised teams from access to connection networks, which had been hindering repair work."
Companies such as Lulu and McDonald’s Oman have been sending food parcels and blankets to Sur and Quriyat.
Nawras, Oman's second mobile telephone network, has been using helicopters not only to restore its communication network but also to distribute aid and connect generators with the voluntary assistance of its employees, giving credit to enable people to contact family and friends, providing Muscat Municipality with contact numbers, and providing SMS facilities for people to donate to Oman Charitable Organisation. The company has won a large number of customers as a result.
The military have taken charge of operations in Sharqiyah, clearing roads, airlifting supplies, installing water distribution points and providing medical services.
1,000 people turned up for the Muscat beach clean-up between the Crowne Plaza Hotel and the Ghubrah desalination plant on 14th June.
Following a meeting chaired by HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said on Monday, two royal directives creating two emergency committees, were announced.
The first will be headed by the Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, with the task of assessing and inventorying of damage to citizens’ houses and properties. "The second committee, to be headed by the Minister of National Economy and Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council, will be tasked with repair of the infrastructure, such as, roads, bridges, electric and water connections and other affected services, giving priority to implement these projects and taking into account good preparation for such circumstances in the reconstruction." Oman Observer, 12th June 2007.
His Majesty also announced the creation of a relief fund to which RO7 million was already committed, which will be open for donations. The Ministry of Education has reversed its previous decision to cancel exams. These will now begin on 23rd June.
The infrastructure committee met on 13th June under the chairmanship of Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, National Economy Minister and Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council. "Reconstruction works shall be allocated to local contractors and priority shall be given to infrastructure repairs and all other services instead of the ongoing seventh Five-Year Plan projects." Oman Observer, 13th June.
One assumes that local contractors are more immediately accessible than foreign contractors, and more answerable for any shortcomings.
What is becoming apparent is that it was not the wind and the rain that caused damage per se, but the flow of immense quantities of water from the mountains into the wadi systems.
"950 millimetres of rain which is four times the annual average [was recorded in Sharqiyah]. The highest amount of rain received in 24 hours, was also registered in Al Jabal Al Asfar station in Sharqiya region, which reached 842 millimetres. In the Interior, the Jabal Al Hail station received more than 194 millimetres, the highest in the region. Thirteen reserve dams across the Sultanate, received more than 37,9 million cubic metres of water that exceeded the capacity of these dams and created wadis and water streams." Oman Observer, 12th JuneHis Majesty also ordered that more attention needed to be given to building dams for flood protection. Oman has been building a system of recharge dams which also double as flood protection entities, but it seems clear that a considerably wider range of flood relief engineering options should be studied.
Comments
r and t wrote:
06/21/07 08:41:02
newsbriefs wrote:
I think you missed part of my innuendo here. The person who made that comment lives in Oman. He might just have known something more than the rest of us do. Just because he said it on Facebook, doesn't automatically mean that it's wrong, although we don't know that it is right. But he also said something along the lines, "we have to get a foreign company in". Which delays repairs. As it happens, official news reports quoted plant manager Allen Conroy as saying that 90% of the capacity of the plant had been restored by 14th June. If you're living in Oman and can assure us that water supplies have been fully restored, please let us know.
Have you visited Facebook? I also belong to such groups as the British Library book Club, the British Library Entrepreneur and SME Network and the Iraq National Library and Archives.
06/24/07 16:20:47
newsbriefs wrote:
Gulf News of 15th June, http://archive.gulfnews.com..., explained that disruptions to the water distribution network in Muscat was preventing restitution of full water supply to the whole of the municipality. "Amarat, Quriyat and Wadi Adei are completely cut off." The manager of the Ghubrah desalination plant had said that "they can now generate as much water as needed to supply to the network." The DG of Water Supplies estimated that it would still take another 3-4 weeks to restore full water supply to the whole of Muscat and asked consumers to use water prudently.
06/24/07 17:35:16
we just wanted to know...how can you use a facebook comment as a credible source of information in your article?