Oman sets up 24-hour call centre; UAE will experience indirect impact on east coast
According to the morning estimates, Cyclonic Storm Ashobaa has steered its path across the Arabian Sea, holding position approximately 613 kms from Fujairah, while 270 kms southeast of Sur and 310 kms northeast of Masirah Island.
The UAE has reiterated its earlier statement, with the National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) saying its forecasted weather charts and some models indicate the continuity of the tropical storm movement toward northwest to get closer to the coast of the south eastern province in Oman by Thursday morning, with a probability of scattered heavy rain and a fresh to strong winds.
It added: “The impact on the country expected to be indirect, that impact will rise the sea state over the east coast of the UAE, in addition, an increase in the amount of clouds, especially on the eastern mountains.”
The NCMS also warned residents of fresh southeasterly winds and rough waters in the Strait of Hormuz and northern Oman Sea.
Emirates, meanwhile, has stated it is also closely monitoring the situation.
The airline told, Emirates is currently monitoring the development of tropical storm Ashobaa, which is currently situated in the Arabian Sea. Emirates’ operations are running on schedule at the present time and are not affected by the storm. As with all severe weather systems, we are continuing to monitor the storm and its path.”
The Muscat Municipality is asking residents to cooperate with authorities during emergencies, and report situations on its helpline, stating: “You can also contact us in Muscat on 1111 or through social networking channels.”
An dark, overcast sky across Oman’s eastern coastline also gave way to downpours, with the Oman Meteorology department reporting sporadic rainfall in southeastern provinces.
The met office also warned of flooding in some parts, saying in its last update: “Although there are different possibilities for the Tropical Storm tracks, it is more likely to approach South Al Sharqia’s coast during Thursday morning, with chances of moderate to heavy rain associated with fresh to strong gale winds over Governorates of South Al Sharqia, North Al Sharqia, Muscat, Al Dhaklia, Al Wusta and South Al Batinah up to Friday afternoon.
“The sea state will gradually become rough over the Sultanate’s coasts, with maximum wave heights ranges between three to six metres (20 feet) during the three coming days.”
The Public Authority of Civil Aviation or Paca has warned residents of Oman to stay away from low lying areas, avoid crossing wadis.
Fishermen and seagoers have also been told to avoid the Oman Sea over the next few days.
The Indian Meteorological Department forecast, meanwhile, stated there would be further impact on June 11 as the storm makes landfall.
It said: “The system continues to move in nearly westward direction and cross Oman coast as a cyclonic storm between latitude 21.50 N and latitude 22.50 N south of Ras Al Hadd in the evening of 11 June 2015.”
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has placed Ashobaa 400 km east-southeast of Muscat, saying: “The Tropical Cyclone over west-central Arabian Sea has further moved west-northwestward during past 12 hours and now lies centred about 650 kms southwest of Karachi and 400 km east-southeast of Muscat.
“The Tropical Cyclone is likely to intensify further during next 12 hours and keep moving west-northwestward towards Oman coast.”
It added the sea conditions are likely to remain rough along the Sindh coast and very rough along Makran coast (Pasni, Gwadar and Jiwani) accompanied with strong winds and maximum surge of 12-15 feet.
The Cyclone Warning Centre (Karachi) of PMD has warned the fishermen of Sindh and Balochistan to not to venture in open sea until Thursday.”
Under the influence of this system an extended clouds band prevails over Makran coast and south Punjab due to which scattered rain and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls are expected in southwest Balochistan (Pasni, Gwadar, Turbat, Kech and Jiwani) during next 24-36 hours (with gradual increase in rainfall intensity from moderate to heavy) and over south Punjab.
