UAE forecasters warn of tropical depression in Arabian Sea

Residents urged to follow updates from National Center of Meteorology as low pressure system moves towards Oman and Yemen

A screen grab of projections from Windy.com of a tropical depression developing in the Arabian Sea. Courtesy Windy.com

Forecasters have warned that a tropical depression could be heading for Oman next week.

The National Centre of Meteorology said it had detected low pressure which pointed towards the possibility of a tropical depression in the Arabian Sea, which are common at this time of year.

Tropical depressions develop when the surface temperature of the sea is high and warms the air above it. This mass warming causing the air to expand and travel upward and outward, creating a column of wind with speeds of up to 62kph. Tropical depressions can pick up speed over water bodies and develop into cyclones — which can be destructive and create wind speeds of up to 117kph.

Projections on windy.com show that the system will gather momentum mid-next week and travel towards the border between Oman and Yemen. It is unclear if it will make landfall.

''The low pressure is very likely to intensify into a tropical depression by Saturday, October 6, and move north west towards the centre of the Arabian Sea," forecasters said.

"The majority of numerical models indicate the movement will continue towards the coast of Oman. The track and intensity for such situations might vary and change rapidly."

The bureau said it was monitoring the situation and would updating the public, urging that rumours not be spread to create concern.

The Indian Meteorological Department has residents in Kerala of heavy rains as a result of the developing storm. The southern state was devastated by severe rains and flooding in August.

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