Oman reschedules flights as Cyclone...

Residents urged to evacuate coastal areas

Selected flights to and from Oman capital’s, Muscat, have been rescheduled as of Sunday 3 October 2021, and residents in coastal areas have been urged to evacuate due to the approach of tropical Cyclone Shaheen.

Oman Airports issued the following statement: “Operations through Muscat International Airport are continuing, and some flights have been rescheduled within the airport’s procedures to avoid the risks of direct impact with climatic conditions.”

The national emergency committee issued a notification that the power supply would be cut in the al-Qurm suburb of Muscat, east of the capital, to avoid accidents. More than 2,700 people have been accommodated in emergency shelters and roads in the capital will only be open to vehicles on emergency journeys until the storm passes.

A joint statement by the country’s hazard, weather and civil aviation agencies said that the eye of the storm was about 60km (40 miles) from Muscat, carrying top winds of 120 kph (75 mph). The storm’s centre is expected to land around late afternoon or early evening.

The Times of Oman live track report states that Cyclone Shaheen has “gradually begun inching away from the Governorate of Muscat, and is currently headed towards the governorates of South and North Al Batinah”.

International news agencies have reported one child drowned as a result of the storm, and another missing.