Muscat: With the centre of tropical cyclone Shaheen just 65 km from the coast of Muscat and the intensity of rain and wind have been increasing since Sunday morning.
The cyclone is 110 km away from Musanah, 190 km from Suhar with a wind speed of around 65 to 75 knots.
According to the meteorologist at the National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Centre so far the amount of rain received in Muscat is 171 millimeters.
“The amount of rain received in this short duration is because the average annual amount of rainfall registered in Muscat Governorate is 100 millimeters. Now in a few hours we have received rainfall almost double the annual average,” said Dr Said al Sarmi, Meteorologist from National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Center.
The weather pattern is expected to continue further as rains have also begun in South Al Batinah.
“Heavy rains are also being reported in Barka, Nakhal and Wadi al Ma’awal. The centre of the cyclone is moving towards the southwest and is expected to make a landfall this evening between 5pm to 8 pm in the area between Al Musannah and Saham. People in these areas must take maximum precautions and be ready to face the heavy rains accompanied by strong winds,” alerted Dr Said.
He added, “The weather experienced in Muscat is expected to continue for the next six to 12 hours. Maybe after six hours we might see a reduction in the intensity in the rainfall and decrease gradually".
"This evening we will see the landfall in North Al Batinah, and the rains there can last for 24 hours.”
Many low-lying areas from Muscat to North Al Batinah governorates have recorded overflowing wadis. Meanwhile, people in the coastal areas have been evacuated. According to the National Committee for Emergency Management, there has also been evacuation from the low-lying areas in Ibri and Dhank. Ten people were rescued from Qurum to safety. A mountain collapsed in Wattayah and no casualty was reported.
The National Committee for Emergency Management has stated that it is forbidden to open sewage covers until in the presence of specialists from the Oman Company for water and wastewater services.
The Sultan Qaboos Street from Burj Al Sahwa to Qurum Bridge has been closed for now. There has been a complete evacuation in the Qurum commercial area. In some parts of Qurum electricity has been shut off for safety reasons. There have also been fluctuations from desalination plants in Barka.
“Please stay at home and do not put yourself in risky situations. Follow the weather bulletins and only step when everything is cleared out,” said Dr Said.
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