Tropical storm likely to hit Oman on Friday

Muscat: The tropical situation in the Arabian Sea, which intensified into a depression, is expected to make its landfall in Oman on Friday. Speaking to the Observer, an official at Oman Meteorology said the major impact of the tropical situation will be in the Dhofar governorate, though sporadic rains are expected in Al Wusta and the areas around Al Hajar mountains. “The Dhofar governorate can expect sporadic rains starting from Thursday morning and following landfall on Friday and Saturday. We are in touch with the regional meteorology centre in New Delhi with regards to the naming of the tropical condition,” he added. Meanwhile, the India Met Department (IMD) in a release added that it expects the system to intensify into a deep depression (numbered tropical cyclone) and further into a named cyclone by Tuesday night for early Wednesday. “It is very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm during next 24 hours and into a severe cyclonic storm in subsequent 24 hours. It is likely to move northwestwards and reach south Oman- southeast Yemen coasts by May 26.” Oman Meteorology in its latest bulletin said that the tropical depression in the Arabia Sea has now become a storm with the wind speed around 34 to 40 knots and centered in the South West Arabian Sea round latitude 9.5 degrees north and longitude 57 degrees east The distance between the tropical system's centre and Oman's coasts is 900km. The nearest convective cloud bands from the coasts is 400km. The tropical condition is taking the NorthWest direction. The height of sea waves could be around eight to nine meters and the fishermen and general public have been urged to avoid risk and stay away from wadis and low lying areas. Meanwhile, Mohammed bin Nasser Al Zaabi, CEO, Public Authority of Civil Aviation (PACA), has chaired a meeting of an internal committee for the management of exceptional weather conditions. The committee is keeping direct contact with its Dhofar office to discuss the advancement of the tropical situation in the Arabian Sea.