‘Tej’ impact brings rains

Classified as Category 3 (till the time of filing this report), tropical cyclone ‘Tej’ began its impact on various parts of the Dhofar Governorate with the influx of clouds and rainfall of varying intensity by Sunday evening.

Analysis by the National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Centre also indicated that the cyclone is centred in the southwest of the Arabian Sea at 12.9 latitude north and a longitude of 54.7 east. The centre is about 450 km away from the coast of the Sultanate of Oman, and the wind speed around the centre is estimated to range from 100 to 112 knots.

The nearest accompanying rain cloud mass is about 140 km away neat the Wilayat of Sadah and expectations indicate that it will continue to move west-northwest towards the coast of Dhofar Governorate and the Republic of Yemen’s Al Mahra Governorate, with chances of developing into a Category 4 tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours.

The Oman Met Office said the impact on the governorates of Dhofar and Al Wusta is expected to increase during Sunday night with rain of varying intensity from 50-150 mm, leading to the flow of wadis and strong winds blowing at 20-40 knots.

The sea is expected to be rough on the coast of the Arabian Sea, ranging between 4 and 7 metres, with chances of sea surge over the coastal areas and creeks.

UTMOST CAUTION

The Civil Aviation Authority has called upon everyone to take the utmost caution and not to risk crossing wadis. They have urged the public to stay away from low-lying area. It has also called upon everyone not to go to the sea during this period.

The National Multi-Hazards and Early Warning Centre weather expert said the cyclone could go up to category 4 and then come down in intensity.

“Maybe while approaching land, it could be a category 1 cyclone. The result could be heavy rains, with downdraft wind and flash floods,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority has called for the necessity of securing chemicals, radioactive materials, petroleum, and hazardous waste in the facilities and factories of the governorates expected to be affected by ‘Tej’ in locations safe from submersion due to rise in sea levels, heavy rains, and over-flowing of wadis.