Cyclone Shaheen levelled properties and sent people in Oman running for shelter, but the destructive storm has left a pleasant surprise in its aftermath.
Nature enthusiasts are delighting in the arrival of birds that do not usually visit the country.
Swathes of land that are usually empty are now filled with water, which has attracted different species to the parts of Oman most affected by the cyclone.
Birdwatchers say white cranes, ospreys, geese and flamingos are paddling in the waters.
“The empty arid lands are now rivers and lakes, thanks to the recent floods,” Shahid Maktoob, a nature enthusiast in Suwaiq, told The National. “We see an unusual landing of different species of birds in our area which we don’t normally see at any time on the water left behind by the storms.”
Peter Basset, 74, a birdwatcher for 52 years in the UK’s Lake District and now retired in Oman, said migratory birds which usually fly past Oman from Iran to escape cold weather to India have stopped off in the Batinah region this time.
“This time of the year, these birds fly away from Iran as the temperature there gets colder to warmer climates in India. But this time, because of the pools of water left behind by the storms, they made landfall in the Batinah areas,” Mr Basset told The National.
Most damage was caused in Oman's Batinah region, in the towns of Al Musannah, Suwaiq, Saham, Khabourah and Sohar, which were hit by 60-knot winds and 12-metre waves.
“I have spotted white cranes, geese and even flamingos on my usual evening walks in these flooded areas,” Hashim Al Saleh, a birdwatcher from Saham, told The National.
“It is not usual we see these kinds of birds flying around at any time here in Batinah. The floods devastated our houses but brought beautiful birds as well.”
Faisal Al Moosa, another birdwatcher, said he usually spots hawks, eagles and vultures in the deserts of Oman.
“There are predator birds and they stay in the desert looking for foxes, rabbits and rats to eat. But this time, we have different foreign birds and that is really something special for birdwatchers like us,” he said.
More than 5,000 people affected by the floods were moved to temporary accommodation, but most have now returned to their homes.
The storms killed 12 people in Oman and two fishermen in Iran.
Thousands of volunteers are helping to restore towns devastated by the storm. The government has said it will build 328 houses for families whose homes were destroyed by the floods.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
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March 15 - Australia, Melbourne; March 22 - Bahrain, Sakhir; April 5 - Vietnam, Hanoi; April 19 - China, Shanghai; May 3 - Netherlands, Zandvoort; May 20 - Spain, Barcelona; May 24 - Monaco, Monaco; June 7 - Azerbaijan, Baku; June 14 - Canada, Montreal; June 28 - France, Le Castellet; July 5 - Austria, Spielberg; July 19 - Great Britain, Silverstone; August 2 - Hungary, Budapest; August 30 - Belgium, Spa; September 6 - Italy, Monza; September 20 - Singapore, Singapore; September 27 - Russia, Sochi; October 11 - Japan, Suzuka; October 25 - United States, Austin; November 1 - Mexico City, Mexico City; November 15 - Brazil, Sao Paulo; November 29 - Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi.
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
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Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
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Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
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Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
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Dust storm
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16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
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5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
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Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
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Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
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