Westerly Disturbance Ikran begins

Muscat: Trough of low pressure began on Wednesday evening with rainfall over North Al BatinahAnd Al Dhahira, The official sources at Oman Meteorology, while speaking to Observer at 5 pm said within six hours rains will begin over Al Hajar and by midnight rains could be expected in South Al Batinah as well as areas around Al Hajar.

“By Thursday most of the northern governorates will experience rainfall. There is above 30% chance for clouds from Al Hajar to reach Muscat governorate. This weather condition could last for four to five days, but could vary from governorate to governorate. It is important to note that this time Dhofar is included,” said the Meteorologist at Oman Met Office.

He pointed out that Al Hajar Mountains could enhance the clouds during midday when the temperature is at the maximum, impacting the westerly disturbance which has been titled Al Ikran - derived from the term ‘Generosity’.

Schools

All the governorates except Al Wusta will adopt online classes due to the heavy thunderstorms accompanied by active downward winds along with hailstones expected to fall during Thursday until night in the governorates of Buraimi, North Al Batinah, South Al Batinah, Muscat, Al Dakhiliyah, Al Dhahirah, North Al Sharqiyah and Dhofar, with rain amounts ranging from 20-80 mm leading to the flow of wadis, and scattered and varying rainfall. And Isolated thundershowers are expected over governorates of Musandam, South Al Sharqiya, Al Wusta.

CAA issues alerts

The Civil Aviation Authority has called on everyone to exercise caution during rain and thunderstorms, and has requested everyone not to cross valleys, avoid low places, and do not go to the sea during the alert period. Active downward winds are expected to have speed ranging between 15 - 40 knots (28 - 90 km/ h). The sea wave height on the coast of Musandam Governorate and the Sea of Oman ranges between 2-3 metres. Oman Met Office has warned on reduced horizontal visibility during thunderstorms.

According to the general weather forecast for Thursday, advection of convictive clouds over the Dhofar Governorate is expected to lead to rainfall of varying intensity associated with fresh winds. Formation and advection of clouds over most of the Sultanate of Oman is expected with chances of rain of varying intensity associated with fresh winds over Al Buraimi, Musandam, Al Dhahirah, Al Dakhiliyah, North Al Batinah, South Al Batinah, and Muscat, then extend during the evening to include the governorates of North Al Sharqiya, South Al Sharqiya, and Al Wusta. There are chance for late night to early morning low clouds or fog patches over parts of South Al Sharqiya, North Al Sharqiya, Al Dhahirah, Al Dakhiliyah, Al- Buraimi and Dhofar. Chance of dust rising over desert and open areas.

NCEM gets activated

In preparation for the weather situation, the National Emergency Management Committee began activating the National Emergency Management Center and its affiliated sectors and subcommittees in the governorates expected to be affected. The National Committee for Emergency Situations Management, following up on what was issued by the National Multi- Hazard Early Warning Center regarding multiple risks regarding the expected weather condition (Ukhdood Al- Ikram) has taken the measures to be ready.

In view of the expected heavy rain and the potential impacts, it was decided to activate the National Center for Emergency Situations Management as of five pm Wednesday.

They have activated the sectors and committees in the governorates expected to be affected (Muscat - Dhofar - Al Dakhiliyah - North Al Sharqiyah - South Al Batinah - Al Dhahirah), and to raise the degree of readiness to reduce and mitigate the repercussions of the situation, and responding to reports of potential damage. In this regard, the National Emergency Management Committee has called on everyone to take the utmost caution to preserve the safety of lives and property, and to ensure to take information from the official authorities, and to follow the instructions issued by them.