Tropical storm expected to bring heavy rain, flash flooding: Oman’s CAA

Muscat: Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued weather alert (1) over Arabian Sea. The forecasts suggest that this tropical depression will continue to move west-northwestward towards the coasts of Dhofar Governorate in Oman and the Republic of Yemen. 

In a statement CAA said: The latest satellite images and analyses from the National Center for Early Warning of Multiple Hazards indicate the development of the low pressure area in the Arabian Sea. It has evolved to a tropical depression, now located at approximately 9.3 degrees North latitude and 62.0 degrees East longitude. It is about 1100 kilometers away from the coasts of Oman. The wind speed around the center ranges from 20 to 27 knots, and the nearest rainy cloud mass is located about 900 kilometers away in the region of Sadah, Oman. The forecasts suggest that this tropical depression will continue to move west-northwestward towards the coasts of Dhofar Governorate in Oman and the Republic of Yemen. It is expected to intensify into a deep tropical depression within the next 24 hours and could potentially develop into a tropical storm within the next 48 hours. The direct impact is expected to begin on Dhofar and AL Wusta on Sunday, October 22. There is a possibility that the center of the system may pass between midnight Monday and Tuesday morning between Dhofar Governorate and Yemen’s Al-Mahra Governorate.

Details of the tropical system:

Saturday 21 October 2023:

The meteorological condition has deepened into a tropical storm, with wind speeds around the center ranging from 34 to 63 knots. This is accompanied by the flow of high and medium-level clouds along the Arabian Sea coasts.

Warnings:

-Wave height along the coastal areas of South AL Sharqiya, AL Wusta and Dhofar governorates with maximum wave high ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 m.

Sunday 22 October 2023:

The meteorological condition has intensified into a Category 1 cyclone, with wind speeds around the center ranging from 64 to 75 knots (approximately 128 to 150 km/h). The center of the system is located approximately 200 to 300 kilometers away, with the direct impact beginning on Dhofar Governorate and parts of the Al Wusta, accompanied by rainy cloud cover.

Warnings:

– Heavy rainfalls expected may range between 50 — 200 mm cause flash floods (Wadis).

– Strong winds with speed of 25 to 35 kt (50-70 km/h) this may leads to the dispersal of loose materials and the falling of trees.

– Wave height along the coastal areas of Arabian Sea with maximum wave high ranging from 4 to 7 m with chance of storm surge and Sea water inundation over low level coastal areas.

Monday 23 October 2023:

The meteorological condition has downgraded to a tropical storm, with wind speeds around the center ranging from 34 to 63 knots (approximately 68 to 125 km/h). The center of the system is located approximately 50 to 150 kilometers away, with the opportunity for the center of the condition to pass between midnight and Tuesday morning between Dhofar Governorate and Yemen’s Al-Mahra Governorate.

– Heavy rainfalls expected may range between 200-600 mm cause flash floods (Wadis).

– Strong winds with speed of 34 to 63 kt (68-125 km/h) this may leads to the dispersal of loose materials and the falling of trees.

– Wave height along the coastal areas of Arabian Sea with maximum wave high ranging from 4 to 7 m with chance of storm surge and Sea water inundation over low level coastal areas.

Civil Aviation Authority advices all to follow the issued weather bulletins and reports.