Oman- Sur, Masirah Island get rain as Ashobaa nears

(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Tropical storm Ashobaa brought rainfall to Sur and Masirah on Tuesday evening. The storm hovering over the northwest Arabian Sea some 400km from Sur is likely to reach South Sharqiyah on Thursday morning. 

Sharqiyah Muscat Dakhliyah and South Batinah may begin receiving moderate to heavy rainfall with strong wind from Wednesday evening.

The Directorate General of Meteorology issued an alert on Tuesday that most parts along Oman's coast will experience adverse weather conditions from Wednesday evening to Friday evening with waves reaching

3-6m.

'Moderate to heavy rain with high speed winds are expected over areas in North and South Sharqiyah Muscat Dakhliyah and South Batinah.' The storm however could weaken before it hits land with the heaviest rains and winds happening over the sea.

An Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) statement said 'The cyclonic storm Ashobaa over northwest Arabian Sea and adjoining area moved nearly west-northwestwards during past six hours and lay centered at 17:30 hours IST of June 9 about 1050km west-northwest of Mumbai 760km west of Veraval 400km east-southeast of Sur (Oman) and 560km east-southeast of Muscat.

'The system would intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm move nearly northwestwards during next 24 hours and west-northwestwards towards Oman coast thereafter. The cyclonic storm would cross Oman coast between latitude 21.50°N and latitude 23.00°E near Ras al Hadd (22.30°N/59.80°E) during the night of June 11.'

AccuWeather said that heaviest rain and wind associated with the storm will remain over the Arabian Sea. 'The circulation around the storm will also bring increased moisture to the west coast of India from Surat to Mumbai to Kochi leading to rounds of showers and thunderstorms' stated Adam Douty an AccuWeather meteorologist.

The cyclone will then face a battle with drier air as it moves northwestward towards the coast from northeastern Oman to southwestern Pakistan. 'There is significant dry air over land and a lack of tropical moisture across the northern Arabian Sea' stated Jason Nicholls senior meteorologist at AccuWeather.

Nicholls explained that once Ashobaa nears the coast it should weaken as dry air wraps into its centre.

Meanwhile an official from Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulances (PACDA) told Muscat Daily that the authority is prepared to meet any emergency. 'PACDA is always on stand-by to deal with emergency situations. We would update people through our Twitter account and would request them to take caution accordingly' said the official.

Muscat Municipality has asked its departments to stay alert from Wednesday to Saturday. The call centre will be put on a 24-hour shift during the days.

'There has been a circular issued advising various departments of the municipality to monitor the situation as wadis are likely to overflow due to the expected rains and our staff will be coordinating with the call centre in order to get accurate details about likely damage to public and private properties' a Muscat Municipality official said.

A statement by the National Commission for Civil Defence (NCCD) read 'As directed by Lt Gen Hassan bin Mohsen al Shuraiqi Inspector General of Police and Customs and chairman of NCCD the commission in collaboration with specialists at the Public Authority for Civil Aviation is following closely the progress of the tropical storm and its possible effect on Oman.

'Due to difference in tropical forecast models some of which provide possibility to active to very strong winds high waves rain with varying degrees associated with flooding of wadis and canals sub-civil defence committees at the various governorates were instructed to take necessary measures to enhance readiness.'