Oct 4, 2021: Cyclone Shaheen slammed into Oman on Sunday with ferocious winds and heavy rain, flooding streets, prompting evacuations from coastal areas and suspending some flights to and from the capital Muscat.

UAE officials say precautionary measures are being taken and Saudi Arabia has called for caution in several areas following the death of four people in Hurricane Shaheen in neighboring Oman.

Police in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were patrolling near beaches and valleys on Monday to protect civilians in areas where where heavy rains were expected.

The Abu Dhabi Government Media Office said government and private sector employees in Al Ain, on the border with Oman, were urged to work remotely and authorities told residents not to leave their homes except in emergencies. “Authorities are working around the clock to inspect residential units in the affected areas and relocate families to safer locations until they are safe,” it said. Saudi civil defense officials have called for caution in several areas from Monday to Friday in anticipation of strong winds and possible flooding.

Hurricane Shaheen hit Oman along with strong winds and torrential rains on Sunday, flooding the streets, forcing evacuations from coastal areas and suspending some flights from the capital, Muscat. As the hurricane approached, a child who had been swept away was found dead, the state news agency reported, and another missing person was found dead.

Two workers were killed when a hill fell on their residential area in the industrial zone. Omani officials said the hurricane was moving at speeds of 120 to 150 kilometers per hour when its eye crossed the ground. It was throwing 10 meter waves.