Sunday 22 / December / 2024
For Monday's updates on Cyclone Shaheen, check our tracker here.
(9:24PM): Wooden ship sinks in Sultan Qaboos Port.
A team from the Environment Authority and the Ministry of Agricultural Wealth, Fisheries and Water Resources visited the site.
The ship was not carrying any cargo when it sank. All crew members were rescued.
(8:45PM): Heavy rainfall lashes Suwaiq. Precautionary power cuts in place in many areas to prevent accidents.
(8:39PM): Cyclone Shaheen downgraded to tropical storm
Cyclone Shaheen's classification has been downgraded to a tropical storm as classification changes.
“The classification of the tropical situation has been reduced to a tropical storm with wind speed around the center ranging between 55 and 63 knots / 102 and 116 kmph. Direct effects will continue with heavy rain and strong winds over most of the wilayats of the North and South Al Batinah governorates,” Oman TV News said in a statement.
(8:29PM): The eye of tropical cyclone Shaheen has begun landfall between the wilayats of Musannah and Suwaiq accompanied by very heavy rain and strong winds between 120 and 150 kmph.
(7:58PM): Rescue teams of the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA), save two people as rainwater entered their home in Suwaiq, North Al Batinah Governorate .
(7:51PM): Wilayat Barka, Seeb and Suwaiq record highest rainfall in past 6 hours
Wilayats of Barka, Seeb and Suwaiq have recorded the highest rainfall during the last 6 hours, while rainfall amounts decreased in the wilayats of the Governorate of Muscat.
“The Wilayat of Barka recorded the highest rainfall during the last 6 hours at a rate of 95 mm, followed by the Wilayat of Suwaiq and Seeb at a rate of 70 mm, then Al Masanah 69 mm, and the Wilayat of Nakhal at 65mm,” the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources said in a statement.
The Wilayat of Bausher recorded the highest average rainfall from Shaheen at a rate of 189 mm, followed by the Al Amerat wilayat at a rate of 175 mm, and then the Wilayat of Muttrah at a rate of 174 mm, Seeb 160 mm, Nakhl 150 mm.
(7:50PM): Tropical cyclone Shaheen will continue to cause heavy rainfall in North and South Al Batinah according to the latest weather forecast. Read all details here.
(7:10PM): Electricity supply to lights on the coastal road extending from Majz Al-Kubra to the Wilayat Center in Sohar to be disconnected.
(7:05PM): 143 shelters have been prepared in governorates expected to be affected by cyclone Shaheen of which 53 centres have been activated so far, receiving 3,019 individuals, including 2,173 citizens and 846 residents.
(7:05PM): The Capital Market Authority has confirmed that crossing valleys deliberately or failing to follow instructions issued by the police may lead to compensation being denied to insurance policy holders.
(6:30 PM): Cyclone Shaheen is presently 30 km from Musanah and around 65 km from the Wilayat of Suwaiq as per the latest update by Oman Meteorology. The center of the cyclone is expected to cross between the wilayats of Musanah and Suwaiq between 7 pm and 9 pm in the evening Oman TV reported.
(6:00 PM): Al Sareen dam in the state of Al Amerat and the Thamid dam in Bidbid are filled today, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources announced.
Water levels reached 81 cubic meters in the Dhika dam in wilayat of Qurayar and 8.9 cubic meters in the Al Amerat dam, followed by the Al Khoudh dam, which retained 5 cubic meters. Al Sareen Dam in the Wilayat of Al Amerat, which has a capacity of 1 cubic meter, has also been filled.
(4:55 PM): Two workers died after a housing complex in Rusayl Industrial Area collapsed.
(4:40 PM): Search and rescue teams are dealing with a report of a landslide on workers housing in the Rusayl industrial estate. Preliminary reports indicate people stuck inside houses, the NCEM said.
(3:47 PM): The document in circulation that includes a list of active shelter centres in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate is invalid, the National Committee Emergency Management has clarified.
(3.45 PM): Engineering services of the Ministry of Defence in the Governorate of Muscat are providing technical support and engineering support to citizens, residents and areas affected by cyclone Shaheen by providing generators, water suction vehicles and other necessary technical equipment, in addition to supporting other government agencies with what they need in terms of transporting supplies and reopening roads and corridors.
(3:10 PM): The Oman News Agency said in a statement that as many as 10 Relief centres equipped with all necessary needs in the Wilayats of Liwa and Shinas, Governorate of North Al Batinah, received over 600 persons. Relief centres in the Wilayat of Barka, Governorate of South Al Batinah, received many families as a precautionary measure to avoid impacts of the tropical cyclone Shaheen.
(2:50 PM): Tropical storm Shaheen has gradually begun inching away from the Governorate of Muscat, and is currently headed towards the governorates of South and North Al Batinah.
(2: 10 PM) Oman Airports has said that operations at Muscat International Airport are continuing, and some flights have been rescheduled within the airport’s procedures.
(2: 00 PM) The center of tropical storm Shaheen is around 120 km from the crossing point, and the diameter of the eye of the cyclone is between 11 and 14 km currently. It is expected that the eye of the cyclone will reach land between 6 and 9 pm in the evening today.
(1: 22 PM) Indian nationals in Oman who are in dire need of assistance because of the ongoing cyclone Shaheen are requested to contact their embassy if needed.
(1: 10 PM) Some health establishments in the Governorates of Muscat, North Al Batinah and Al Dhahirah are closed till Tuesday as a precautionary measure due to the tropical cyclone Shaheen," Oman News Agency (ONA), said in a statement.
(1: 00 PM) The Rusayl tanker station was closed as a precautionary measure due to the high water level at the station headquarters." NCEM said.
(12: 55 PM) Child drowns in Al Amerat, body recovered
Muscat: The body of a child, who had gone missing, was found in an inundated part of Wilayat Al Amerat in Muscat Governorate on Sunday.
(12: 30 PM) Cyclone Shaheen: Wilayat Muttrah records highest rainfall
Muscat: The Wilayat of Muttrah in Muscat Governorate has received the highest amount of rainfall with more than 150 mm of rain recorded between October 2 and 3, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources said.
(12: 00 PM) Traffic halted in Batinah region due to Cyclone Shaheen
Muscat: Motorists are not allowed to remain on the roads in North and South Al Batinah, because of the upcoming impact of Cyclone Shaheen
This is because the eye of the cyclone is expected to pass through or near these regions.
"Traffic is halted in the governorates of North and South Batinah, and movement is not allowed, with the exception of humanitarian cases and emergency vehicles," said the National Committee for Emergency Management.
(11: 45 am) Power outage in this area
Electricity supply will be disconnected as a precautionary measure in the Seeb sub-station, which will lead to a power outage in the area surrounding Seeb Club and Wadi Al Lawamy.
(11: 43 am) Stronger winds, more rain expected soon
Muscat: People have been asked to stay at home, as stronger winds and more rain resulting from cyclone Shaheen is expected soon.
“Wind speeds accompanying the cyclone are accelerating to 135 km/hr,” said the National Committee for Emergency Management., which “called for all to stay home and take precautionary measures as more heavy rain is expected during the coming hours.”
(11: 25 am) National Centre for Emergency Management urges speedy evacuation
Muscat: The National Centre for Emergency Management has issued directives to expedite the evacuation process in the commercial district in Al Qurm. Electricity will be cut off to avoid any hazards.
The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority also announced that 10 people were rescued after rainwater entered their house in the Qurum area in the Wilayat of Muttrah.
In addition, the National Centre for Emergency Management directed the evacuation of residents in low-lying areas in the Wilayat of Ibri and Dhank due to heavy rains expected in the coming hours in Al Dhahirah Governorate.
The relief and shelter sector of the National Centre for Emergency Management announced that so far, 136 equipped shelters centres have been identified in the governorates, 45 of which received 2,734 people including 1,989 citizens and 736 residents.
(11. 09am) 10 people rescued from flooded house in Oman
Muscat: A statement issued online by Oman News Agency (ONA) stated, "Rescue teams of the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) managed to rescue 10 people, who were in good health, after rainwater entered their house in the Qurum area in the Wilayat of Muttrah."
(11: 00 am) Centre of cyclone Shaheen is just 60km away from Muscat
Muscat: The centre of the tropical cyclone Shaheen is about 60 km away from northeast Muscat Governorate.
(10: 45 am) Oman Airports reschedules all flights
Muscat: Oman Airports announced that all flights to and from Muscat International Airport have been rescheduled due to cyclone Shaheen.
(10: 30 am) Section of Sultan Qaboos Street closed until further notice
Muscat: A section of Sultan Qaboos Street has been closed to motorists owing to the effects of Cyclone Shaheen.
The National Committee for Emergency Management announced the "closure of Sultan Qaboos Street from the Qurum bridge to Al Sahwa tower."
(9: 30 am) Landslide hits Oman due to heavy rains
Muscat: A mountain suffered a landslide in Muscat Governorate due to heavy rainfall resulting from tropical cyclone Shaheen, National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) said.
"A mountain collapsed due to heavy rains in the Al-Wattia area behind Al-Nahdha Press, without recording any human or material losses," NCEM said in a statement.
(9: 15 am) Two people rescued in Oman
Rescue teams of the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority managed to rescue two people after their vehicle was stranded in Azaiba area in the Wilayat of Baushar. They are in good health, Oman TV said in a statement.
(9: 00) Centre of cyclone to cross these governorates today evening
Muscat: The centre of the tropical cyclone Shaheen may cross between the wilayats of Musannah in South Al Batinah Governorate and Saham in North Al Batinah Governorate this evening between 5 pm and 8 pm, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said.
The direct impact of tropical cyclone Shaheen was felt on Sunday morning in the governorates of Muscat and South Al Batinah, with very heavy rainfall (50-110 mm).
CAA warned: "The latest satellite images and weather charts at the National Multi Hazards Early Warning Centre indicate that tropical cyclone Shaheen is currently at a latitude of 24.4 degrees N and longitude 59.3 degrees E and continues its movement towards the coasts of the governorates of South and North Al Batinah. The centre of the tropical cyclone is about 80 km from the Governorate of Muscat, and the wind speed around the centre is estimated at 65 to 75 knots (120-139 km/h)."
It is likely that the governorates of Muscat and South Al Batinah will continue to be affected by very heavy rain accompanied by strong winds during this day, while the direct impact will begin during the next few hours on the governorates of North Al Batinah, Al Dhahirah, Al Buraimi and Al Dakhiliyah with high speed winds (45 to 60 knots) and very heavy rain (200 to 500 mm). There might even be flash floods. The governorates of Musandam, North and South Al Sharqiyah may be affected by rains of varying intensity (20 to 60 mm).
The sea will be very rough on the coasts of the Sultanate, extending from South Al Sharqiyah Governorate to Musandam Governorate, with an estimated wave height of 8-12 metres, with the possibility of seawater inundating land in low areas and moderate to rough waves on the rest of the Sultanate's coasts (2-3 metres).
The Civil Aviation Authority calls upon everyone to take the utmost precaution and not to risk crossing valleys, to stay away from low-lying places, and not to go to the sea during this period.
(8:50 am) Cyclone Shaheen: Guidelines issued for waste management in Oman
Muscat: The National Committee for the Management of Emergency Situations called for quick unloading of containers before the weather condition worsens in order to avoid the accumulation of waste.
The basic services sector of waste management directed all operating companies in the governorates expected to be affected by the cyclone to take necessary precautions measures and activate emergency response plans which includes:
Intensifying the unloading of containers before the weather worsens to avoid the accumulation of waste in the event of inability to reach them due to rain or road interruption.
Choosing temporary places to store waste in case the roads leading to the landfills are blocked.
Filling electricity generators with fuel in the event of a power outage, operating waste management facilities.
Preparing additional equipment and human resources to ensure the continuity of services.
Giving priority to waste management services for shelter centres if the authorities request.
(8:40 am) Cyclone Shaheen: Qurum Commercial District shut
National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) said in a statement, "Qurum Commercial District is closed due to the gradual increase of water levels. It is necessary to evacuate the commercial district and houses surrounding it that could be, consequently, get affected."
(8:30 am) Wind speed increases in Oman
Muscat: There has been an increase in the wind speed associated with cyclone Shaheen, which has reached approximately 135 km/hour.
"Wind speed accompanying the Cyclone is accelerating to 135 km/h. The National Centre for Emergency Management calls upon all to stay home and take precautionary measures as more heavy rain is expected during the next hours," National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) said in a statement.
According to Oman Meteorology, heavy rainfall accompanied by high speed winds continued in the governorates of Muscat, South Al Batinah and parts of Al Dakhiliyah Governorate.
(8: 00 am) Muscat hospital evacuated due to cyclone Shaheen
Muscat: Al-Nahda Hospital has been evacuated as a precautionary measure in case there is an increase in the water level due to the tropical cyclone Shaheen.
Dr Rashid Al Badi, coordinator of the medical response and public health sector at the National Centre for Emergency Management, said: "Al Nahda Hospital patients are currently in other health institutions for 48 hours in anticipation of any rise in the water level due to the tropical situation."
(7: 00 am) Cyclone Shaheen: Here are the places that will be hit in Oman
Muscat: The centre of cyclone Shaheen is about 130 km away from Muscat Governorate and it's continuing in its movement toward the north Al Batinah coast, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said.
"Latest satellite images and weather charts analysis at the National Multi Hazards Early Warning Centre indicates that the tropical cyclone (Shaheen) located at longitude 59.3 E and latitude 24.2 N . The tropical cyclone continues to move towards the coastal areas of Oman Sea with estimated surface wind speed around the centre 64 knots (116 km/hr)," CAA said in a warning on tropical cyclone Shaheen.
The direct impact of the cyclone will start on Sunday morning and it will include strong winds (40-60) knots and heavy rain ranging between 200 and 500 mm causing severe flash floods in Governorates of North Al Batinah, South A Batinah, Muscat, Al Dhahira, Al Buraimi Al Dakhiliyah and the coastal areas of South Al Sharqiyah.
The influences may extend to the Govemorates of Musandam, North Al Sharqiyah with isolated rain 30-80 mm and heavy to moderate winds (15-25 knots).
Sea condition is expected to be very rough over the coastal areas between South AI Sharqiyah and Musandam Governorates with maximum wave height ranging between 8 and 12 metres. In addition, storm surge might cause inundation of low-level coastal areas. The sea will be moderate to rough along the rest of Omani coasts with maximum wave height between 2 and 3m.
