Heavy rainfall in Oman, on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, has resulted in flash flooding, claiming the lives of at least 17 people.

Severe rainfall triggered flash floods in Oman, claiming the lives of at least 17 individuals as rescuers worked tirelessly to locate survivors, officials reported on Monday. Among the tragic incidents was the loss of a group of school children and a driver when their vehicle was swept away.

The heavy downpours also posed a threat to Dubai and other areas across the Arabian Peninsula. Civil defense authorities provided updates on the casualties, with North Al Sharqiyah province in Oman bearing the brunt of the devastation.

Both the Royal Oman Police and the Omani military were mobilized to evacuate citizens from inundated regions, according to the state-run Oman News Agency.

Heavy rainfall often leads to flash flooding in the sultanate, attracting curious onlookers from their homes to nearby dry riverbeds, known in Arabic as "wadi." During flooding, these wadis can swiftly fill and sweep away people and vehicles.

In Dubai, authorities anticipated heavy rains to commence Monday night, persisting into Tuesday morning. The Emirates' National Center of Meteorology issued warnings of thunder, lightning, rain, and potentially hail, with winds reaching speeds of up to 70 kph (43 mph). In response, government schools announced plans to conduct classes remotely on Tuesday and Wednesday.