Oman on high alert over Cyclone Tej as shelters open and schools close

Heavy rainfall has been reported in parts of the country, with strong winds expected

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  Workers repair damage following Cyclone Tej. All photos: Oman News Agency

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  Flooding after heavy rainfall in Salalah

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  Workers repair damage following Cyclone Tej

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  Several roads were closed at the weekend in Oman in preparation for Tej making landfall

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  Flooding in Dhofar Governate

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  Cloudy skies and a waterfall in Dhofar

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  Cloudy skies over Dhofar

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  Wet driving conditions in Salalah

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  Storm clouds over Salalah, in the southern part of the sultanate

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  Tej, which was 450km off the coast of Oman on Sunday afternoon, had intensified into a Category 3 storm

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  Oman ordered the evacuation of parts of Dhofar province in preparation for tropical cyclone Tej

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  Tej was expected to further intensify into a Category 4 cyclone by Monday

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  Authorities announced two days of holiday for the public and private sectors in Dhofar province and the wilayat of Al Jazir in Al Wusta province

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  Extremely heavy rainfall of between 200mm and 500mm is expected on Monday and Tuesday

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  Wadis are expected to overflow, leading to flash floods

People in Oman have evacuated their homes, schools have closed and about 70 shelters have been set up as the country braces for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Tej.

Heavy rainfall has already hit parts of the country, with strong winds of between 64 knots and 82 knots expected.

The storm was expected to reach the Dhofar governorate on Monday evening and continue its journey across the country on Tuesday.

The latest update from the Omani Civil Aviation Authority at 4pm on Monday said the cyclone was 280km from Salalah.

“Our main concern isn't just before or during the cyclone; it's the aftermath,” said Fatima Ibrahim, a resident of Salalah.

“The market's bare; people have cleared the shelves.

“I heard people near the beach have been evacuated, and schools are being used as shelters for those displaced. We're all in this together.”

Authorities announced two days of holidays for the public and private sectors in the Dhofar governorate and the area of Al Jazir in Al Wusta governorate on Sunday.

Oman's Salalah port was temporarily shut on Sunday evening. It was announced on Monday it would reopen at 11am on Tuesday.

Heavy rainfall was reported in the coastal areas of the Dhofar governorate, with several wadis overflowing. This is expected to continue and to reach the southern part of Al Wusta governorate in the coming hours.

The Dhofar Municipality Emergency Committee held meetings on Monday to prepare for the impact of the cyclone.

The focus of the meetings was on raising awareness among citizens and residents. Preparatory plans for Dhofar governorate municipalities were discussed, along with efforts to clear obstacles and prevent damage.

Maximum precautions

Government agencies and private sector groups were working on a co-ordinated response as the Civil Aviation Authority advised all residents and travellers to take maximum precautions during this period, refraining from crossing wadis and avoiding low-lying areas where flooding could occur.

“Our team has diligently collected any flying debris, closed the beach, and closely followed the guidance of the authorities,” said Murat Sak, executive hotel manager for Orascom Development Holding, which manages the Juweira Boutique Hotel and the Fanar Hotel & Residences.

“The local schools have also taken precautions receiving two days off, today and tomorrow.

“Most offices are also closed for two days to ensure the safety of all.”

He added the hotel has allocated rooms to provide shelter during the storm.

The Civil Aviation Authority said the cyclone was expected to continue to gradually decrease until it crosses the Yemeni coast as a tropical storm.