Middle East – Deadly Floods in Oman and Iran

by in Asia, News

Flash floods have caused death and destruction across parts of the Middle East after days of heavy rain. Fatalities have been reported in Oman and Iran, where thousands of people have been displaced. Dozens of people have been rescued from floods in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Severe weather has also affected areas further east, with flooding reported in parts of Pakistanand Afghanistan.

Oman, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait

Media in Oman, quoting Civil Defence, reported on 01 January 2022 that 6 people had died in floods in Oman and 20 were rescued, mostly in areas around Muscat, Al Batinah South and Ad Dakhiliyah.

Further heavy rain from 03 January worsened the situation, with severe flooding reported in parts of Muscat on 04 January. Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) rescued five people after they were trapped in waterlogged areas in the Wilayat of Baushar, Muscat Governorate.

In the United Arab Emirates, emergency teams rescued 3 people in Sharjah after a vehicle was swept away by floods on 01 January. Videos shared on Social Media showed helicopter teams rescuing people from the roof of a vehicle trapped in flood waters in Wadi Al-Bayh in Ras Al-Khaimah on 03 January.

In Kuwait, the Fire Service said teams responded to 103 calls for help and rescued 106 people who were stranded on flooded roads and in houses following heavy rain overnight 01 to 02 January 2022.

In Saudi Arabia, Civil Defence reported flood rescues in Rumah and Huraymila, among others. Local media reported roads were flooded in Eastern Province and areas of Dammam city.

Iran

In Iran, the Iranian Red Crescent (IRCS) reported on 03 January that teams had assisted around 10,000 people affected by floods from 30 December. IRCS teams rescued a total of 631 people and moved 2,106 people to emergency accommodation mostly in Chabahar and Konarak in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Snow blizzards in higher elevations have also placed severe demand on IRCS teams.

In an update of 04 January, IRCS reported over 20,000 people now affected by floods across 17 provinces. Areas in Hormozgan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Fars and Kerman are the hardest hit. IRCS also said 6 people had lost their lives in floods in Darab, Lamerd and Beyram in Fars Province, Sirjan in Kerman Province and Mehrestan in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

Pakistan and Afghanistan

Severe weather was reported further east, affecting areas of Balochistan Province in Pakistan and Kandahar Province in Afghanistan, where helicopters were used to rescue several people stranded.

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