Eleven people, including two children, have been killed in flash floods caused by heavy rains that have hit Oman over the past three days, the Arabian Peninsula state's police announced on Thursday.

"Eleven people died in several of the sultanate's provinces when their vehicles were swept by heavy rains as they drove through valleys," state news agency ONA quoted a police statement as saying.

Five bodies, including those of a six-year-old and a 10-year-old, were found on Thursday.

One body was found on Wednesday while the remaining five were recovered Tuesday, when the storm began.

The police issued a warning urging "maximum caution," as ONA reported that heavy rainfall continued Thursday over the southern city of Sadh, where the storm had destroyed some houses, boats and cars.

In June 2010, 16 people were killed when a Cyclone Phet hit the Gulf state.

In 2007, Cyclone Gonu tore through Oman, killing at least 49 people and causing damage estimated at $3.9 billion.