Cyclone heads for Oman by Denise Kane
Oman is bracing itself for the possibility of another cyclone to make landfall this year. The unnamed storm is currently known as tropical cyclone 05a and is currently moving across the Arabian Sea whipping up winds of up to 53 mph (85 km/h). Although the storm is strengthening over the warm ocean waters, it is expected to be weaker that the previous cyclone, Gonu.
In June 2007, Oman was pounded by a strong cyclone named Gonu which struck the eastern coast, Muscat and parts of the north. At its peak, Gonu reached a maximum force category 5 storm with winds over 155 mph (250 km/h). It weakened to a category 1 storm as it made landfall, but unleashed torrential rain on the predominately desert terrain causing flash flooding and landslides. Main roads and bridges were damaged and around 50 people lost their lives.
Cyclone 05a is approximately 528 miles (850 kilometres) away from Sadah, southern Oman. Forecasters expect the system to perhaps make landfall in the south of the country around Thursday. Residents are preparing to batten down the hatches in the wake of the second cyclone this year.
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