Sultanate Effected by “Gonu” Cyclone
Muscat, June 4 (ONA)--- Lt.Gen. Malik bin Sulaiman al-Ma’amari, Inspector-General of Police and Customs, and head of the National Committee for Civil Defence has announced that the Sultanate will be effected, within forthcoming three days by the cyclone heading from the West of the Indian Subcontinent.
After presiding over the meeting of the National Committee for Civil Defence at ROP headquarters in Qurum, Lt.Gen. Al-Ma’amari told reporters that the cyclone known as “Gonu” is heading towards the Sultanate’s lands, at speed of 200 km per hour, and its approaching the Sultanate’s lands at a speed of 18 km per hour. The Sultanate’s Easter coast is expected to be effected by the cyclone starting as from tomorrow (Tuesday) evening.
He added that the national committee for Civil Defence has been monitoring the cyclone’s speed and it’s approach to the Sultanate’s coast continuously. The Directorate-General of Civil Aviation and Meteorology will issue warnings every three hours. The situation will be assessed if the speed increased. If the cyclone speed slowed down, citizens will be notified and the warning periods will be reduced accordingly.
Lt.Gen. al-Ma’amari said, Sultanate’s lower regions, such as Masirah Island, and the regions extending from Ras Madrakh to Ras Al-Had where a great deal of populations reside over there, shall be effected by the cyclone, adding that the 2/3 of Masirah Island topography is surfaced, and populated, and risk is there with the possibilities of wave height reaching 10 meter.
He said “We encourage the people to move from the hazardous areas because of the cyclone , particularly Masirah and Al-Halaniyat Islands to move to secured areas, stressing that Royal Oman Police (ROP) in cooperation with other government departments will provide shelter and food for people with no shelters through the critical period of the cyclone.
He said state of emergency was declared at the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) and Royal Oman Police (ROP) and other authorities, noting that ROP has deployed Civil Defence vehicles at regions expected to be affected by the cyclone. SAF will also carry out its assigned duties, other government’s department such as health, education, electricity, telecommunications and communications will also be prepared for such circumstances.
About the regions expected to be effected by the cyclone, and effect level, Lt.Gen. al-Ma’amari said the cyclone will come from the east of the Sultanate, and that the coastal area from Ras Madrakah to Ras Al-Had will witness a strong cyclone, which will head north, widely crossing the Sultanate’s lands to the direction of the Sharqiyah region, and part of Al-Hajar Al-Sharqi and Al-Hajar Al-Gharbi, penetrating the northern Batinah to the wilayats of Sohar; Liwa and Shinas. He said the cyclone speed will be high in the coastal areas while heavy rains will fall on land particularly hilly areas.
Lt.Gen. al-Ma’amari, stated that ROP personnel will be deployed in all regions of the Sultanate which are expected to be effected by the cyclone.
He urged citizens and residents in the Sultanate to stay at safe places during the passage of cyclone, so as not to jeopardizing themselves or ROP personnel.
Three operation cells will be set up in Muscat, while another cell for joint operations of all military and security bodies when necessary. People may call emergency line No. 9999. Lt.Gen. al-Ma’amari explained, saying that for the time being, warning are being announced through the mass media, and neighboring countries have been notified with what is going on, and all meteorological centres in the region are sharing information between them in this regard. He added.
He said the National Committee for Civil Defence with God’s willings, will be capable to deal with such disasters and would seek the cooperation of citizens in this regard.
—Ends/a/M
I don’t see it as a big threat but I am some 800 km away from my home and the flights are cancelled and the travelling by road is not recommended.
Sh!te
Called my wife to at least keep provisions for a week at home and get children early from the school.
Lets see what happens next.
)