03 June 2010
MUSCAT -- Communities along Oman's east coast braced for the worst as Phet, a potentially powerful Category 5 tropical cyclone, roared towards the Sultanate yesterday, prompting the country's Civil Defence and emergency services to go on the alert.
Many jittery residents of coastal communities, especially along the Sharqiyah coast, were evacuated to safer areas, while in Muscat and elsewhere, people scrambled to stock up on essentials in anticipation of a spell of deadly weather with echoes of Tropical Cyclone Gonu that hit the Sultanate in June 2007.
A number of filling stations too ran low following a surge in fuel demand.
While the approaching cyclone did result in a dip in soaring temperatures, it also triggered panic among the public. A number of people living in coastal Sur and Masirah Island either moved to cities or to higher ground, local residents said.
Dr Mir Mustafa Ali Fazal, Gastroenterologist at the Al Noor Medical Complex in Sur, said people were anticipating the worst.
"What I could gather from those I talked to is that they are preparing for the worst. Many families living in the coastal areas have already voluntarily evacuated and moved to safer places. Many offices didn't function in the afternoon while several employees left early to be with their families. Petrol stations witnessed serpentine queues and most of them are running short of fuel. Supermarkets and departmental stores were packed with people buying essentials just in case they can't go out if the unexpected happens."
Many residents of Masirah Island were also gripped by alarm. Although no official evacuation was sounded, some people relocated to safer areas, it is learnt.
Meanwhile, shopping malls, supermarkets and other small groceries in various parts of the country witnessed an unusual number of people buying essentials such as drinking water, rice, and bread in the wake of the precautionary warning from Meteorology Department about cyclone 'Phet'.
Advisory messages sent via SMS and e-mails warned of an impending tropical storm off the coast of Oman.
"A tropical storm has intensified in to a tropical cyclone called 'Phet' over the Arabian Sea and is likely to hit Masirah Island and the Omani coastal areas between Ras al Madrakah and Ras al Hadd, before reaching India and Pakistan. Fishermen and seafarers are advised to be cautious as seas are expected to be rough," an SMS quoting the Directorate General of Meteorology and Air Navigation (DGMAN) read.
Similar messages were transmitted by radio as well.
Abdul Sathar, an accountant with Zubair Automotive told the Observer that he was petrified to see such a message at first. "My friends and I received a message on our GSMs about the tropical cyclone and was anxious to know the fact. It's been a matter of hot discussions among many residents and nationals alike. We did normal shopping and are not collecting any provisions."
However, at Muscat City Centre, the turnout was normal despite the impending weather situation. A resident of Al Maabela said: "There is no evidence of any panic buying. The only problem in this area is the dusty winds have been blowing for some time, and this may have been caused by the presence of open construction sites in the area."
MUSCAT -- Communities along Oman's east coast braced for the worst as Phet, a potentially powerful Category 5 tropical cyclone, roared towards the Sultanate yesterday, prompting the country's Civil Defence and emergency services to go on the alert.
Many jittery residents of coastal communities, especially along the Sharqiyah coast, were evacuated to safer areas, while in Muscat and elsewhere, people scrambled to stock up on essentials in anticipation of a spell of deadly weather with echoes of Tropical Cyclone Gonu that hit the Sultanate in June 2007.
A number of filling stations too ran low following a surge in fuel demand.
While the approaching cyclone did result in a dip in soaring temperatures, it also triggered panic among the public. A number of people living in coastal Sur and Masirah Island either moved to cities or to higher ground, local residents said.
Dr Mir Mustafa Ali Fazal, Gastroenterologist at the Al Noor Medical Complex in Sur, said people were anticipating the worst.
"What I could gather from those I talked to is that they are preparing for the worst. Many families living in the coastal areas have already voluntarily evacuated and moved to safer places. Many offices didn't function in the afternoon while several employees left early to be with their families. Petrol stations witnessed serpentine queues and most of them are running short of fuel. Supermarkets and departmental stores were packed with people buying essentials just in case they can't go out if the unexpected happens."
Many residents of Masirah Island were also gripped by alarm. Although no official evacuation was sounded, some people relocated to safer areas, it is learnt.
Meanwhile, shopping malls, supermarkets and other small groceries in various parts of the country witnessed an unusual number of people buying essentials such as drinking water, rice, and bread in the wake of the precautionary warning from Meteorology Department about cyclone 'Phet'.
Advisory messages sent via SMS and e-mails warned of an impending tropical storm off the coast of Oman.
"A tropical storm has intensified in to a tropical cyclone called 'Phet' over the Arabian Sea and is likely to hit Masirah Island and the Omani coastal areas between Ras al Madrakah and Ras al Hadd, before reaching India and Pakistan. Fishermen and seafarers are advised to be cautious as seas are expected to be rough," an SMS quoting the Directorate General of Meteorology and Air Navigation (DGMAN) read.
Similar messages were transmitted by radio as well.
Abdul Sathar, an accountant with Zubair Automotive told the Observer that he was petrified to see such a message at first. "My friends and I received a message on our GSMs about the tropical cyclone and was anxious to know the fact. It's been a matter of hot discussions among many residents and nationals alike. We did normal shopping and are not collecting any provisions."
However, at Muscat City Centre, the turnout was normal despite the impending weather situation. A resident of Al Maabela said: "There is no evidence of any panic buying. The only problem in this area is the dusty winds have been blowing for some time, and this may have been caused by the presence of open construction sites in the area."
By Kabeer Yousuf
© Oman Daily Observer 2010
