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Omanis watch the waves hitting against the sea wall along the Muscat corniche, as they brace for Cyclone Phet which may hit the island as did Cyclone Gonu which tore through Oman in 2007 Image Credit: AFP
  •  Phet is a Thai word pronounced as Pet, meaning "Diamond".
     
  • Intense hurricanes are rare in the Arabian Sea, due to the basin's small size, the interference of the summer monsoon, and the frequent presence of dry air and dust from the Arabian Peninsula.
     
  • Phet is now the second strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Arabian Sea, behind Category 5 Cyclone Gonu of 2007, which devastated Oman.
     
  • Third place is held by the 2001 India Cyclone 01A and Very Severe Cyclonic Storm ARB 01 (02A), which were Category 3 storms with 125 mph winds.
     
  • Phet is over some of the warmest ocean waters on the planet, 30 31°C (86 88°F), and warm waters in excess of 26.5°C (80°F) extend to a depth of at least 50 meters (165 feet), resulting in a Tropical Cyclone Heat Potential high enough to allow Phet to attain Category 5 status.
     
  • So far, at least 24 people have been killed after the onslaught of Cyclone Phet in Oman
       
  • Phet spread heavy rains over the heavily populated northern regions of Oman, which caused extreme flooding.
     
  • Phet has the potential to be worse for Oman than Tropical Cyclone Gonu, which did $4.2 billion in damage and killed 50 people in June 2007.
     
  • Phet has made landfall in Pakistan, where it left many areas flooded and killed at least one person.