(11:25 am) National Centre for Emergency Management urges speedy evacuation

Muscat: The National Centre for Emergency Management has issued directives to expedite the evacuation process in the commercial district in Al Qurm. Electricity will be cut off to avoid any hazards.The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority also announced that 10 people were rescued after rainwater entered their house in the Qurum area in the Wilayat of Muttrah.

‎In addition, the National Centre for Emergency Management directed the evacuation of residents in low-lying areas in the Wilayat of Ibri and Dhank due to heavy rains expected in the coming hours in Al Dhahirah Governorate.

The relief and shelter sector of the National Centre for Emergency Management announced that so far, 136 equipped shelters centres have been identified in the governorates, 45 of which received 2,734 people including 1,989 citizens and 736 residents.

(11. 09am) 10 people rescued from flooded house in Oman

Muscat: A statement issued online by Oman News Agency (ONA) stated, "Rescue teams of the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) managed to rescue 10 people, who were in good health, after rainwater entered their house in the Qurum area in the Wilayat of Muttrah." 

(11: 00 am) Centre of cyclone Shaheen is just 60km away from Muscat

Muscat: The centre of the tropical cyclone Shaheen is about 60 km away from northeast Muscat Governorate.(10: 45 am) Oman Airports reschedules all flights

Muscat: Oman Airports announced that all flights to and from Muscat International Airport have been rescheduled due to cyclone Shaheen.

(10: 30 am) Section of Sultan Qaboos Street closed until further notice

Muscat: A section of Sultan Qaboos Street has been closed to motorists owing to the effects of Cyclone Shaheen.

The National Committee for Emergency Management announced the "closure of Sultan Qaboos Street from the Qurum bridge to Al Sahwa tower."(9: 30 am) Landslide hits Oman due to heavy rains

Muscat: A mountain suffered a landslide in Muscat Governorate due to heavy rainfall resulting from tropical cyclone Shaheen, National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) said.

"A mountain collapsed due to heavy rains in the Al-Wattia area behind Al-Nahdha Press, without recording any human or material losses," NCEM said in a statement.

(9: 15 am) Two people rescued in Oman

Rescue teams of the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority managed to rescue two people after their vehicle was stranded in Azaiba area in the Wilayat of Baushar. They are in good health, Oman TV said in a statement.(9: 00) Centre of cyclone to cross these governorates today evening

Muscat: The centre of the tropical cyclone Shaheen may cross between the wilayats of Musannah in South Al Batinah Governorate and Saham in North Al Batinah Governorate this evening between 5 pm and 8 pm, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said.

The direct impact of tropical cyclone Shaheen was felt on Sunday morning in the governorates of Muscat and South Al Batinah, with very heavy rainfall (50-110 mm).

CAA warned: "The latest satellite images and weather charts at the National Multi Hazards Early Warning Centre indicate that tropical cyclone Shaheen is currently at a latitude of 24.4 degrees N and longitude 59.3 degrees E and continues its movement towards the coasts of the governorates of South and North Al Batinah. The centre of the tropical cyclone is about 80 km from the Governorate of Muscat, and the wind speed around the centre is estimated at 65 to 75 knots (120-139 km/h)."

It is likely that the governorates of Muscat and South Al Batinah will continue to be affected by very heavy rain accompanied by strong winds during this day, while the direct impact will begin during the next few hours on the governorates of North Al Batinah, Al Dhahirah, Al Buraimi and Al Dakhiliyah with high speed winds (45 to 60 knots) and very heavy rain (200 to 500 mm). There might even be flash floods. The governorates of Musandam, North and South Al  Sharqiyah may be affected by rains of varying intensity (20 to 60 mm).The sea will be very rough on the coasts of the Sultanate, extending from South Al Sharqiyah Governorate to Musandam Governorate, with an estimated wave height of 8-12 metres, with the possibility of seawater inundating land in low areas and moderate to rough waves on the rest of the Sultanate's coasts (2-3 metres).

The Civil Aviation Authority calls upon everyone to take the utmost precaution and not to risk crossing valleys, to stay away from low-lying places, and not to go to the sea during this period.

(8:50 am) Cyclone Shaheen: Guidelines issued for waste management in Oman

Muscat: The National Committee for the Management of Emergency Situations called for quick unloading of containers before the weather condition worsens in order to avoid the accumulation of waste.

The basic services sector of waste management directed all operating companies in the governorates expected to be affected by the cyclone to take necessary precautions measures and activate emergency response plans which includes:

Intensifying the unloading of containers before the weather worsens to avoid the accumulation of waste in the event of inability to reach them due to rain or road interruption.

Choosing temporary places to store waste in case the roads leading to the landfills are blocked.

Filling electricity generators with fuel in the event of a power outage, operating waste management facilities.

Preparing additional equipment and human resources to ensure the continuity of services.

Giving priority to waste management services for shelter centres if the authorities request.(8:40 am) Cyclone Shaheen: Qurum Commercial District shut

National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) said in a statement,  "Qurum Commercial District is closed due to the gradual increase of water levels. It is necessary to evacuate the commercial district and houses surrounding it that could be, consequently, get affected."

(8:30 am)  Wind speed increases in Oman

Muscat: There has been an increase in the wind speed associated with cyclone Shaheen, which has reached approximately 135 km/hour."Wind speed accompanying the Cyclone is accelerating to 135 km/h. The National Centre for Emergency Management calls upon all to stay home and take precautionary measures as more heavy rain is expected during the next hours," National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) said in a statement.According to Oman Meteorology, heavy rainfall accompanied by high speed winds continued in the governorates of Muscat, South Al Batinah and parts of Al Dakhiliyah Governorate.

(8: 00 am) Muscat hospital evacuated due to cyclone Shaheen

Muscat: Al-Nahda Hospital has been evacuated as a precautionary measure in case there is an increase in the water level due to the tropical cyclone Shaheen.Dr Rashid Al Badi, coordinator of the medical response and public health sector at the National Centre for Emergency Management, said: "Al Nahda Hospital patients are currently in other health institutions for 48 hours in anticipation of any rise in the water level due to the tropical situation."

(7: 00 am) Cyclone Shaheen: Here are the places that will be hit in Oman

Muscat: The centre of cyclone Shaheen is about 130 km away from Muscat Governorate and it's continuing in its movement toward the north Al Batinah coast, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said.

"Latest satellite images and weather charts analysis at the National Multi Hazards Early Warning Centre indicates that the tropical cyclone (Shaheen) located at longitude 59.3 E and latitude 24.2 N . The tropical cyclone continues to move towards the coastal areas of Oman Sea with estimated surface wind speed around the centre 64 knots (116 km/hr)," CAA said in a warning on tropical cyclone Shaheen.

The direct impact of the cyclone will start on Sunday morning and it will include strong winds (40-60) knots and heavy rain ranging between 200 and 500 mm causing severe flash floods in Governorates of North Al Batinah, South A Batinah, Muscat, Al Dhahira, Al Buraimi Al Dakhiliyah and the coastal areas of South Al Sharqiyah.

The influences may extend to the Govemorates of Musandam, North Al Sharqiyah with isolated rain 30-80 mm and heavy to moderate winds (15-25 knots).

Sea condition is expected to be very rough over the coastal areas between South AI Sharqiyah and Musandam Governorates with maximum wave height ranging between 8 and 12 metres. In addition, storm surge might cause inundation of low-level coastal areas. The sea will be moderate to rough along the rest of Omani coasts with maximum wave height between 2 and 3m.

SOURCE  TIMESOFOMAN