The cyclone is expected to be worse than one that hit Oman's Masirah Island in 1977. (NASA/GSFC)
A powerful cyclone began buffeting Oman on Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people from Masirah Island in the Arabian Sea and closing the country's main gas export terminal.The Arabian Sea's most powerful storm in modern times has the potential to cause the complete destruction of mobile homes, major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore, and prompt a massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 10km, according to experts. A weather service official told Oman state television Tropical Cyclone Gonu, which earlier reached the equivalent of a maximum-force Category Five hurricane
winds of up to 260 kmh (160 mph) and waves as high as 12 metres battered Oman's eastern coast, the state news agency forecast thunder storms and heavy rainfall in the oil producing country. The weather service offical expected floods."It's quite common to have heavy rains at this time of year in Oman," said a Western executive based in Muscat."But this weather is quite unusual and they're calling it the worst in Oman's modern history."
"The current forecast keeps the eye of Gonu over water as it brushes by Oman and then turns the system toward southern Iran," Kevin Roth, senior meteorologist at the Weather Channel, wrote on the company's website.
Civil Defence apparatus mounts emergency response:
To make landfall on Sharqiyah, Wusta coastt Masirah Island in path of stormt 10-metre-high storm surge likelyt National Civil Defence Committee convenest Coastal residents urged to shift to safer areast Army, Air Force, security agencies on standby t Schools as temporary shelter to affected peoplet Stockpiles of food, water planned in key areas
"Gonu is moving in a northwesterly direction towards Oman and likely to make landfall between Masirah and Ras al Hadd by Wednesday night or Thursday morning.
It is expected to bring very heavy rains and strong winds. Tidal waves along the coast can range from 4 to 10 metres. This combination of rain, wind and waves can pose a threat to low-lying areas.
We expect 150mm of rain to fall over a 24-hour period as the storm makes landfall."The tropical storm is expected to influence weather conditions as far north as Sohar on the Batinah coast.
Heavy rains, squally conditions and high waves are also forecast along the Muscat coast if the storm maintains strength even after making landfall.
Fishermen have been advised against venturing out to sea during the three-day storm alert. Gonu, since upgraded to a deadly Category 5 storm, will traverse diagonally towards the Sharqiya region and beyond over the Eastern and Western Hajar mountains before heading out into the Gulf of Oman from the North Batinah side.
In the process, the cyclonic storm is expected to trigger turbulent weather overland across Sohar, Liwa and Shinas, particularly over the mountains.Meanwhile, authorities are mounting a major emergency response in preparation for the looming cyclonic threat.
All security agencies and government ministries that make up the National Civil Defence Committee have been issued 'work orders' setting out their respective roles in providing active support to the emergency services. According to Lt Col Azhar al Kindy, Director of the Executive Office of the NCDC, around 4,000 ROP personnel, including those from the Special Forces and Police Academy, are being mobilised as part of the emergency effort triggered by Gonu's impending arrival.
"Units from the Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF) will be standing by, while the Royal Air Force of Oman and the ROP Air Wing will be ready to provide all necessary assistance. They will be available to supply food, medicine and provisions where needed. We are sending food and water to areas likely to be affected by the storm. Essential supplies are being stockpiled in these areas."
A number of schools, and even some government departments, on the mainland have been earmarked for use as temporary shelters during the period of the storm.
The ROP will set up three 'theatres of operation' in Muscat to help oversee the emergency and rescue effort once Gonu arrives.
Another 'threatre of operation' will also be set up jointly with the Ministry of Defence and other security agencies. The ROP is positioning ambulances in areas likely to hit by the cyclone.
Doctors attached to Health Ministry institutions in these areas are being urged to cancel all leave during the storm alert. With communications likely to be disrupted and telecom masts damaged, authorities plan to turn to wireless and satellite-based Thuraya communications.
GOD BLESS HIS MAJESTY SULTAN QABOOS FOR ALL THAT HE DOES FOR HIS PPL
leaving it all in Gods hands
