June 6, 2007
Cyclone in Oman weakens through Arabian Sea
High waves crashes on the rocks as a cyclone approaches Oman. About 7,000 people have been evacuated from coastal areas where Cyclone Gonu was expected to make landfall. -- AFP
DUBAI - CYCLONE Gonu pummelled Oman on Wednesday, halting oil and gas exports for a second day and forcing thousands to flee the coast, but weakened as it moved through the Arabian Sea, a major route for Gulf oil shipments.
The storm, which peaked to a maximum-force Category Five hurricane on Tuesday, has been downgraded to a Category One hurricane, with a maximum sustained wind speed of about 170kmh.
Oman's meteorology department said the centre of the storm made landfall in Oman around midnight and was heading north-west to Muscat.
It brought torrential rains, strong winds and high waves.
The cyclone is expected to dissipate on Thursday.
'It is moving along the coastal areas to Muscat where we have had heavy rain since last night. The eastern region has absorbed most of the impact but we expect the rain to continue tonight and early tomorrow as the cyclone moves north-west over Oman, said Director of Oman's meteorology department, Ahmed al-Harthi.
'There could be local rainfall on Friday but it should have finally dissipated by then,' he said.
The Weather Channel had earlier forecast that the cyclone would make landfall in southern Iran.
But the Omani weather centre said it was likely to keep moving north-west along the heavily-populated Omani coast where heavy rainfall had turned the main roads of Muscat into rivers.
Cyclone Gonu disrupted shipping, pushing oil prices toward US$71 (S$10.71) a barrel on Wednesday, their highest in nearly two weeks.
There has been no casualties so far. -- REUTERS

Updates from Oman 'resident' aka Nyonya
It has been raining...hospital advised to pack some clothings and let the staff stay at the hospital. But Nyonya has been returning home in the rain after her shift at the hospital. Being playing in the rain...mak said she 'jakun', macam tak pernah main hujan!! Met and killed a baby scorpion in her house too.. Her house and hospital are few hours away from the beach front so not so affected by the cyclone except for the rain. Hopefully the cyclone will pass over Oman soon in the next few days!!!