26 May 2018 | 02:15 PM UTC
Oman: Cyclone Mekunu leaves at least three dead as of May 26 /update 3
Tropical Cyclone Mekunu leaves at least three people dead in Oman as of May 26; lingering power outages and transportation disruptions expected in Salalah in the coming hours
Event
As of Saturday, May 26, Tropical Cyclone Mekunu had left at least three people dead and forced the evacuation of thousands of others in Oman. The storm reportedly made landfall near Salalah as a "extremely severe cyclonic storm," according to the Indian Meteorological Department, with maximum sustained winds of around 185 km/h (115 mph), equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Flash flooding, consequent traffic disruptions, and localized power outages have been reported in Salalah due to the storm; recovery operations have begun in affected areas. Lingering power outages and transportation disruptions are expected in the coming hours.
As of 12:00 (local time) on Saturday, May 26, Mekunu had been downgraded to a deep depression, packing maximum sustained winds of 52-61 km/h (32-38 mph). Continuing heavy thunderstorms are forecast to affect Dhofar and Al-Wusta provinces in the coming hours as the storm continues to track northward over land and dissipate. Many areas in the path of the storm are forecast to receive at least 13 cm (5 in) of rain through Sunday, May 27.
Salalah International Airport (SLL) was closed to air traffic at 00:01 (local time) on May 25 for 24 hours; the country's Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) has announced that the airport will remain closed for at least an additional 24 hours on Saturday, May 26, and reopen on May 27. Oman Air has canceled all flights to and from Salalah until further notice.
Context
Tropical Cyclone Mekunu hit the Yemeni island of Socotra on May 24, causing widespread flooding and power outages and leaving at least two people dead and 40 others missing.
Strong tropical cyclones rarely hit Oman. Notably, in 2007, Cyclone Gonu caused USD 4 billion in damage in Oman and killed dozens across affected parts of the Middle East. The last cyclone to hit within 160 km (100 mi) of Salalah struck the region in 1959.
Advice
Individuals present in Oman, particularly in Salalah, are advised to monitor local weather forecasts, adhere to any orders issued by the local authorities, and confirm flight reservations. In the event of flooding, remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products.
