Sunday, June 24, 2007

Seeb Souq

Times News Service

MUSCAT

People in the areas affected by Tropical Cyclone Gonu have heaved a sigh of relief after basic necessities like water and electricity were restored in most places.

The water problem which had affected many parts of Muscat has been solved and most areas accept some parts of Ruwi have been receiving the water, bringing much joy and relief among the citizens.

A tour of all the areas in and around Muscat has also revealed that efforts to restore normalcy by all government departments have been successful.

Most roads in the capital area have been restored to their original condition while work is being done on a war footing to remove the mud and dirt that was washed up on roads and streets leading in and out of Muscat.

The Royal Oman Police, which is coordinating with all the government machinery to tackle the aftermath of Cyclone Gonu has emphasised that a sense of normality has been restored.

“We want to emphasise that life is coming back to normality as water is flowing to most parts of the town and electricity has also been restored everywhere except some parts of Quriyat,” Colonel Abdullah Al Harthy, spokesperson of the ROP said.

Initially it was providing food, water and shelter to those who were affected by the cyclone. Now we have overcome the crisis period. It is time for people to move on with their lives,” Colonel Abdullah observed.

Those who have become victims of the cyclone have also been given all possible assistance and will continue to receive aid, but others people should continue with normal life, he opined.

While pointing out that a sense of normality has been restored, he said there is no lack of business transactions, banks are functioning normally, people are getting their cash from the ATMs and are doing jobs like any other normal day.

“Now everyone should put their past behind and should become forward looking,” Colonel Abdullah said.

While most people are into their regular grind now, there are some people for whom the haunting after effects of Cyclone Gonu still remain.

Like the shopkeepers in Seeb Souq.

When the cyclone struck, they did not think that the souq would be flooded with water.

Anwar Safah Textile Showroom in Seeb is one such shop which became water logged during the storm.

Rajkumar Vangani, purchasing manager of the textile showroom said that they had inspected the showroom at 3 pm on June 6 but 10 minutes later water gushed into a large portion of the souq filling many shops with water.

A major portion of the clothes and textiles on display were rendered useless by the water, says Rajkumar while adding that they are now waiting for the insurance to come and assess the loss.

“We do not know how much compensation they will give us,”
Rajkumar said.

Many other shops in the vicinity suffered a similar fate as was seen by the number of items which was left out in the sun on the Seeb Souq street.

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