Cyclone Shaheen hits Oman, Iran killing 13

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen hit Oman yesterday with ferocious winds and heavy rain and floods, prompting evacuations from coastal areas. The death toll resulting from the storm rose to 13 this morning.

“The eye of the tropical cyclone is currently entering between the wilayats of Musannah and Suwaiq, accompanied by very heavy rain and strong winds, with speeds on outer parts of the cyclone ranging between 120 and 150 km / hour,” Oman News Agency (ONA) said in a statement.

The situation is now on the coast of Oman with the continued heavy rains pic.twitter.com/qDmm9GOIch

— فهد الجهني (@F__A_H_A__D) October 3, 2021

As of today, the death toll from the cyclone has risen to five, including a child and two foreigners from Asia. In neighbouring Iran, which has also been affected by the storm it has been reported that as many as six fishermen are feared dead after going missing off Pasabandar, a fishing village near the Pakistan border. Shaheen has since been downgraded to a tropical storm according to the sultanate’s Civil Aviation Authority.

Horrifying video of the Tropical Cyclone #Shaheen in #Oman. Shaheen has potential to disrupt energy supplies in the Gulf of Oman & Strait of Hormuz, reports it has reached the Pakistani coast & has already flooded parts of the Omani capital Muscat. pic.twitter.com/ESmFiWSR5e

— IntelOmarion (@IntelOmarion) October 2, 2021

The UAE which is bracing itself for possible impact and is on “high alert”. It has warned people to avoid beaches and low-lying areas. “We would like to assure everyone that the concerned authorities are on high alert and prepared to deal with any upcoming tropical situation,” the country’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said on Saturday.

READ: Cyclone Shaheen approaches Oman, flights delayed