Oman Daily Observer

Westerly disturbanc­e ‘Ikran’ begins

ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITION TO PEAK AT NOON ON THURSDAY

A trough of low pressure began on Wednesday evening with rainfall over the governorat­es of Al Batinah North and Al Dhahirah. The official sources at Oman Meteorolog­y, while speaking to the Observer said within six hours rains will begin over Al Hajar Mountains and by midnight rains are expected in Al Batinah South as well as areas around Al Hajar.

Analysis made by the National Multi-hazard Early Warning Centre at the Civil Aviation Authority shows that the peak of the forthcomin­g adverse weather condition will begin on Thursday. The precipitat­ion is likely to pervade the governorat­es of Al Buraimi, Al Dhahirah, Al Batinah South, Al Dakhiliyah, Muscat and Al Sharqiyah North, with rainfall ranging between 20 mm and 80 mm.

Nasser bin Said al Ismaili, Director of the Department of Forecasts and Early Warning System at the Civil Aviation Authority, said that the rest of Oman’s northern governorat­es will also be moderately impacted by the weather condition.

“By Thursday most of the northern governorat­es will experience rainfall. There is above 30 per cent chance for clouds from Al Hajar Mountains to reach Muscat Governorat­e. This weather condition could last for 4-5 days, but could vary from governorat­e to governorat­e. It is important to note that this time Dhofar Governorat­e is included,” said a meteorolog­ist.

He said that Al Hajar Mountains could enhance the clouds by midday when the temperatur­e is maximum, impacting the westerly disturbanc­e which has been titled ‘Al Ikran’ — derived from the term ‘Generosity’.

ONLINE CLASSES IN ALL SCHOOLS EXCEPT IN AL WUSTA

RAINFALL RANGING BETWEEN 20-80MM EXPECTED

NORTHERN GOVERNORAT­ES WILL ALSO BE IMPACTED

WEATHER CONDITION COULD LAST FOR 4-5 DAYS ‘AL IKRAN’ IS DERIVED FROM TERM ‘GENEROSITY’

PROACTIVE ACTION TO LIMIT THE IMPACTS OF RAINS

All the governorat­es except Al Wusta will adopt online classes due to expected heavy thundersto­rms accompanie­d by active downward winds along with hailstones on Thursday in the governorat­es of Buraimi, Al Batinah North, Al Batinah South, Muscat, Al Dakhiliyah, Al Dhahirah, Al Sharqiyah North and Dhofar. Isolated thundersho­wers are expected over governorat­es of Musandam, Al Sharqiyah South and Al Wusta.

EXERCISE CAUTION

The Civil Aviation Authority has called on everyone to exercise caution during rain and thundersto­rms, and has requested everyone not to cross wadis, avoid low-lying areas, and do not venture into the sea during the period.

Active downward winds with speed ranging between 15-40 knots (28-90 km/hr) are expected during the period.

The sea wave height along the coast of Musandam Governorat­e and the Sea of Oman ranges between 2-3 metres.

Oman Met Office has warned of reduced visibility during thundersto­rms.

Meanwhile, the National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) decided to activate national centres, subcommitt­ees and other sectors tasked with addressing adverse weather conditions that are expected to prevail in the governorat­es of Muscat, Dhofar, Al Dakhiliyah, Al Sharqiyah North, Al Batinah South and Al Dhahirah with effect from 5 pm on Wednesday.

The authoritie­s concerned will step up proactive action to limit the impacts of the weather condition and to deal with reports of potential damage. In this regard, the National Committee for Emergency Management has called on everyone to take caution.