Muscat: The latest satellite images at the National Multi Hazards & Early Warning Center indicate that Cyclone Tej may intensify into Category 4 this evening before weakening while making landfall in Yemen on October 24.
It lay centered on Latitude 12.9 °N and Longitude 54.7 °E and is around 450 km from the nearest coast of Oman.
The forecasts suggest that the system will continue to move west-northwest towards the coasts of Dhofar governorate and the Republic of Yemen (Al Mahra) and is likely to further intensify into a Category 4 cyclone within the upcoming 24 hours around 4 pm on Sunday. It will be downgraded to Category 3 around 4 am on Monday, further weakening to Category 2 before making landfall as Category 1 probably in Yemen on Tuesday.
Wind speed around the center is estimated to be between 100 to 112 Knots, and the nearest rainy cloud mass is estimated to be 140 km away from the coasts (Wilayat of Sadah).
The direct impact is expected to begin in Dhofar and Al Wusta governorates starting from today with heavy rainfall (50 — 150) mm with inundated water due to storm surge.
The most impact is expected to be on Monday and Tuesday with extremely heavy rainfall (200-500) mm which will cause wadis and flashfloods and moderate to fresh winds (40 —70 knots) with strong gusts which may lead to the dispersal of loose materials and the falling of trees.
The sea is expected to be very rough ranging between 6-12 m.
In addition, storm surges might cause seawater inundation over low-level coastal areas.
Rainfall
The different wilayats of the Dhofar Governorate are expected to get heavy to extremely heavy rains due to the direct impact of Cyclone Tej (now Category 3 ) over the next two days, until Tuesday. The wilayat of Salalah will receive rainfall in the range of 200 mm to 300 mm on Monday and Tuesday, while Rakhyut will receive 300mm, Dhalkut (300-500 mm), Mazyouna (50-150mm), Taqah (100-180 mm), Mirbat (150 mm), Sadah (300-200mm), Shaleem (100-200mm), Halaniyat Island and (100-200 mm). On Tuesday, Dhalkut is expected to get 500 mm of rainfall accompanied by winds at a speed of 70 knots.
Evacuation
The National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) has decided on Sunday to evacuate people of the areas expected to get the direct impact of the tropical conditions (Tej), including Al Halaniyat Islands in Dhofar Governorate and the coastal parts of wilayats of Salalah, Rakhyut, and Dhalkut. This came in a meeting chaired by Gen. Hassan Mohsin Al Shuraiqi, Inspector General of Police and Customs, Chairman of NCEM, to tackle the expected impact of the cyclone. Members of the committee mooted the proactive procedures that have been rolled out by other sectors to deal with the prevailing condition and ensured the preparedness of sustainability of public services in the governorate.
During the meeting, the members also emphasized the importance of equipping the backup forces disseminated in the governorate with essential resources.
Holidays
Work has been suspended for the private and public employees in Dhofar governorate and the wilayat of Al Jazir in Al Wusta governorate on Monday and Tuesday (October 23-24).
Bus and Ferry services
Mwasalat said that some of its bus and ferry services will be suspended due to prevailing weather conditions in the Dhofar governorate.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channels. Click here and you can follow our Channel and get the latest news, views, and updates.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
