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Cyclone Gonu reaches Oman
05/06/2007 15:42 - (SA)
Jonathan Leff, Luke Pachymuthu, Peg Mackey and Janet McBride
Dubai - A powerful cyclone began buffeting Oman on Tuesday, forcing thousands to leave their homes, closing the main oil and gas export terminals and pushing oil above $70.
Tropical Cyclone Gonu, which earlier reached the level of a maximum-force Category Five hurricane, was the strongest since 1977 but could cause more damage as it was expected to sweep northwards along the heavily populated coast, said a weather service official.
Strong winds and heavy rain had begun to pummel the coast but the centre of the storm was expected to hit land at 19:00 (15:00 GMT), bringing with it winds of up to 213kph and waves as high as 4-12m, said Ahmad al-Harthi, director of the Meteorology Department.
"Oman is normally affected by tropical cyclones from time to time but this is one of the severest since the 1977 storm, bearing in mind we have records going back to 1890," he said.
"It is likely to move along the coast to Muscat, then the centre of the storm will move into the Gulf of Oman proper and head northwards," he said, predicting floods in several areas.
The Mina al-Fahal oil terminal, the only outlet for Oman's 650 000 barrels per day of oil exports, was closed until further notice, a shipping agent said.
Cyclone changed direction
The Sur export terminal, which handles 10 million tonnes per year of liquefied natural gas exports, was also shut along with the Sultan Qaboos port, which handles vehicles and containers, shipping sources said.
Oman's stock exchange would close along with all private and public sector institutions on Wednesday and Thursday, official media said.
Oman's position at the mouth of the Gulf made it particularly vulnerable to the storm, the US military's Joint Typhoon Warning Centre said.
Oman's state media had earlier said thousands of people were evacuated from the Masirah Island in the Arabian Sea but an Omani disaster relief official said that the cyclone had changed direction leaving the island unharmed.
Oman's official television station urged people to stay in their homes or go to buildings that could withstand strong winds, to avoid highways and to turn off electricity.
'Worst case scenario'
Oman's police had raised its status to high alert and the state media urged people to bolt and board up their doors and windows and ensure they had a supply of torches and candles.
"All the different disaster preparation and management agencies have been working throughout this week in anticipation of the worst case scenario," said Ahmad al-Harthi.
"I believe we are well-prepared."
- Reuters
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