Due to the adverse weather conditions currently affecting the Sultanate of Oman, authorities have officially declared October 23-24 (Monday and Tuesday) as public holidays for both public and private sector employees in the Dhofar Governorate and the Wilayat of Al Jazir in the Al Wusta Governorate.
This decision comes as Oman experiences inclement weather conditions due to Cyclone Tej. In preparation for this tropical situation, Oman's Ministry of Health has activated its 24-hour call center, especially as it directly impacts the Dhofar Governorate and parts of the Al Wusta Governorate.
Additionally, both Al-Daharez and New Salalah health centers will remain closed from 2:30 pm on Sunday until further notice. The Civil Aviation Authority has issued a stern advisory, urging the public to exercise extreme caution, specifically recommending against crossing valleys and emphasizing the importance of avoiding low-lying areas for safety.
The most recent satellite images from the National Multi Hazards & Early Warning Centre indicate that Cyclone Tej is intensifying into a Category 3 cyclone. Currently, it is positioned approximately 500 kilometers away from the nearest coast of Oman. The peak of the tropical condition is expected to occur on Monday and Tuesday, bringing heavy rain that may lead to flooded valleys and gusty winds (40-70 knots), potentially uprooting trees.
In anticipation of the impending cyclone, Oman's National Committee for Emergency Situations Management has decided to evacuate residents from the Hallaniyat Islands and coastal regions in the states of Salalah, Rakhyut, and Dhalkot. The Chairman of the Committee, Lieutenant General Inspector General of Police and Customs, has confirmed that all necessary measures will be implemented to support operations in areas expected to be impacted by the cyclone in the Dhofar and Al Wusta Governorates.
Oman's Salalah port will also be closed starting from 5 pm on Sunday (1300 GMT) due to Cyclone Tej, as reported by the state news agency on Saturday.
The UAE Embassy in Muscat has issued a cautionary advisory to its citizens in Oman, urging them to exercise caution due to the unstable weather conditions caused by tropical cyclone Tej, which is developing in the Arabian Sea.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Tej, previously a depression gathering strength in the Arabian Sea, intensified into an "extremely severe cyclonic storm" on Sunday, near the coasts of Oman and Yemen. The cyclone is expected to make landfall between Al Ghaidah (Yemen) and Salalah (Oman) around noon on October 24, as a "very severe cyclonic storm."
The IMD shared on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) that "VSCS Tej over WC & SW AS intensified to ESCS moved NW at 0830 hrs IST of 22 Oct about 160 km E-SE of Socotra (Yemen), 540 km S-SE of Salalah (Oman) & 550 km SE of Al Ghaidah (Yemen). Likely to move NW and cross coasts between Al Ghaidah & Salalah around noon of 24 Oct as a VSCS.