Dubai: A cyclone, initially codenamed 02A, has developed in the Arabian Sea and is seen moving towards the coast of Oman on Tuesday.
The cyclone, which has developed from a low-pressure area over north-east Arabian sea, had intensified into a low-pressure area on Monday, and is likely to strengthen in the next 24 hours, said weathermen.
As of mid-day on Tuesday, the cyclone is marked in North Arabian Sea centered at latitude 21.5°N and longitude 64° E, according to Skymet Weather.
The system is also likely to strengthen into a deep depression during the next 24 hours, but could also show signs of weakening while drifting away, they said.
Storms are fairly rare in the region, but they're not unheard of. Cyclones usually form in the Arabian Sea.
The Aqua satellite shows Tropical Cyclone #02A hitting the #Oman coast in natural color (2.25PM IST TODAY) pic.twitter.com/JymALWhSFt— IMD WEATHER PRODIGY (@IMD_Weather) June 28, 2016
Medium to heavy rain is expected to hit the coasts of South Sharqiyah, Wusta and Dhofar governorates.
Meanwhile, light to medium rain have been reported in Masirah Island and Ras Al Hadd area.
Ahmad Al Wahaibi, a resident of Masirah Island, told Gulf News over phone that the island witnessed light rainfall by Tuesday afternoon with more clouds accumulating.
“I feel good about it as the temperatures are going down a bit. Residents of the island are outdoors enjoying the rain,” said Al Wuhaibi.
No causalities or traffic snarls have been reported so far in those areas, a senior official at Oman’s Police told Gulf News.
The system is forecast to reach a peak intensity of 50 knots (92.6 kph) by Wednesday at the latest and dissipate around Thursday.
Cyclones have become a near annual summer occurrence east of Oman in the Arabian Sea. They usually form in the Arabian Sea as the monsoon rains spread across the region, or when they retreat.
The cyclones usualy form June to November in the area.
The most severe to hit the region in recent years was Cyclone Gonu in 2009.
In November 2015, Yemeni authorities on the island of Socotra had evacuated 9,000 people from their homes to other places to take refuge from a cyclone.
