Cyclone Shaheen: Oman announces two-day holiday, urges residents to evacuate

Muscat: Oman has announced a two-day holiday for both public and private sectors on October 3 and 4 as the much-feared tropical Cyclone Shaheen struck country’s coastline on Sunday morning.

On Saturday, authorities in Oman urged thousands of residents in coastal areas to leave their homes and head to emergency shelters as the Gulf state braced for tropical storm Shaheen to intensify into a category 1 tropical cyclone. 

Muscat is witnessing very heavy rains due to the direct effects of the cyclone Shaheen, with official reports confirming the overflowing of Wadi Udai and Wadi Al Khuwair. 

Other wadis are also nearing the danger levels.

As per reports, all educational institutes in the sultanate, except in governorates of Dhofar and Al Wusta, will also be closed. 

As per National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM), Muscat Governorate saw heavy rains and the valleys of Edai and Khuwair saw flash floods. 

NCEM further added that the tunnel leading to Burj Al Sahwa roundabout towards the Wilayat of Seeb has closed due to water gathering.

As a result of direct impact of Shaheen, over 50 people have been rescued by Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA).

With a wind speed of 116 to 150-km per hour, the eye of the cyclone is currently 320-km away from the Muscat governorate.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has activated the emergency plan for the road sector in the governorates likely to be affected by the cyclone and the Royal Oman Police are already stationed across various check points in the capital city.