Times of Oman - August 3, 2015

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MONDAY, August 3, 2015 / 17 Shawwal 1436 AH

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TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

Shura’s call for check on fuel smuggling

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OMAN

ROHM invites local ‘extras’ for play

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The Royal Opera House Muscat is offering local residents an exciting opportunity to participate on stage as ‘extras’, or amateurs in non-singing roles, for its magnificent encore production of Turandot, the opera that was staged for the venue’s inauguration in 2011. >A4

MARKET

Oman’s exports plunge by 32.9%

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Oman’s total exports for the first four months of 2015 declined by 32.9 per cent to OMR4.53 billion from OMR6.76 billion for the same period last year. The fall in export revenue was mainly on account of a plunge in oil and gas prices in international markets and re-exports. >B1

Grand plans for golf in Oman

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Call to employ more drivers on Haj buses FAHAD AL GHADANI

fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Members of the public have called for stricter road regulations for the organisers of Haj and Umrah campaigns following a collision between a bus and a truck that killed nine Omanis and left 39 injured. Discussion on social media focused mainly on the condition of buses and drivers. While many suggested that the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs should appoint drivers specifically for such campaigns, others felt that a campaign should have one main driver and two other assistant drivers to help him. “The government has to set stricter regulations for such companies and focus more on the

condition of buses and drivers,” said Abdullah Al Abdaly, who works in the private sector. He added that similar accidents have resulted in the loss of lives in the past too. Regulations “The government must impose more regulations, forcing each campaign to assign more than one driver for the bus,” said Abdullah. He added that the investigation into a previous accident had indicated that the bus driver had taken a short cut that was used by trucks. “The government should even specify the roads that each Haj and Umrah campaign bus and driver should take. Those who take other any other road should face legal action,” said Abdullah. >A6

‘Record-breaking’ heat continues to torment people in Middle East

POOR VISIBILITY: Dust laden winds reduce the visibility in Muscat on Sunday. – Puruoshothaman

SARAH MACDONALD

MUSCAT: All summer the Middle East has had extreme temperatures, but none quite like the Iranian city of Bandar Mahshahr on Friday, which hit 46 degree Celsius but felt like 74 degree Celsius with the humidity. Here in Oman, July was hotter than usual, too. In both Muscat and Ibri, for example, 17 days had temperatures that matched or exceeded the average highs. In Nizwa this was the case for 18 days. Most impressive in Oman were the temperatures in Khasab, which were higher than average every single day in July. Middle East The high temperatures in the Middle East are due to a strong ridge of high pressure which has been hovering over the region for the most of July and into August, explained AccuWeather meteorologist Anthony Sagliani. He said this was expected to continue for at least another week. “Around the Gulf, where water temperatures are in the lower to middle 30s Celsius, the extreme heat combines with incredibly high humidity to produce

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Dust envelops Muscat skyline Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Dust-laden winds caused poor visibility in different parts of Muscat and Batinah area on Sunday evening. Oman Meteorology department tweeted that visibility in Muscat has been reduced because of dusty winds. Meanwhile, Oman Meteorology department said that rain clouds are hovering over Muscat, Batinah and Al Dhakliyah areas. In its next 48 hours forecast, Oman Me-

astounding apparent temperatures,” he said, adding that water temperatures have been higher than normal this summer, too. The heat wave in Iran is the latest in an unusually hot summer across the Middle East, South Asia and Europe, where a number of temperature records have

Despite repeated safety alerts from the authorities and

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Wadi crossers, will you ever heed warning?

OMAN

As the possibility of smuggling of Omani fuel into the UAE has set alarm bells ringing, prominent members of Majlis Al Shura have once again called for measures to curb exploitation of Oman’s resources. Sultan bin Majid Al Ibri, Shura member representing Ibri, has questioned the rationale for opening three filling stations in Al Rawda in the Wilayat of Mahda in Buraimi. >A3

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teorology said skies would be cloudy along the coastal areas of Dhofar Governorate and adjoining mountains with intermittent drizzle. It also said there are chances of convective cloud formation and occasional thundershowers associated with fresh winds over Al Hajar mountains and adjoining areas in the afternoon. Chance of late night to early morning low level cloud formation or fog patches along coastal areas of Arabian sea have also been predicted.

been broken. Bandar Mahshahr’s location on the Arabian Gulf is the cause for its high, humid temperatures, explained Sagliani, who tweeted his reaction to the temperature. The temperature, with the humidity factor, was near the world record set in 2003 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia of 81 C. >A6

experts, some people continue to put their lives at risk while crossing wadis DANGEROUS DRIVING: A file photo of drivers while crossing

flooded stretches. FAHAD AL GHADANI

fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Another pointless death to add to so many others has led emergency services to wonder if the public will ever heed their life saving advice. Ignoring the advice of the authorities and professionals is not only irresponsible but could even cost you your life or that of the rescuer, say safety experts. “Last few days have been rife with reports of Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) and other concerned authorities responding to SOS calls. While they have been saving people from drowning, they have also been rescuing people who attempted to cross wadis,” said a

member of the Majlis Al Shura. “Sadly, most of the incidents could have been avoided. Some of the videos that we are seeing of people trying to cross the wadis in the interior show how irresponsible some people are,” he said. Incidentally, the interior areas of Oman have been receiving rainfall and many of the wadis have been overflowing. On Friday, a person lost his life when he became trapped inside a vehicle while crossing the Al Hajar Wadi. Similarly, on Thursday, authorities rescued two boys from drowning in Ras Al Hadd in Al Sharqiyah Governorate but are continuing to search for two others.

“While we can’t say for sure, I feel some of them might have ignored safety warnings,” the member said. Mark Pudwell, business development and training manager, Competence HR, said, “It’s extremely sad when people ignore the advice of the professionals, as such advice is only meant to protect them from unduly suffering any injury or a situation that could prove to be fatal, be it an advice about driver safety, imminent adverse weather conditions or general safety advice.” He said it was vital that everyone listened to the warnings and the advice given in the press and via other media. >A6


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