Muscat – Tropical cyclone Tej was downgraded to Cat 1 on Monday with the possibility of it further weakening to a tropical storm by early Tuesday.

With wind speed of around 64 to 82 knots, the cyclone resulted in moderate to heavy rainfall in various parts of Dhofar governorate on Monday.

Weather analysis of the National Multi Hazard Early Warning Centre at Civil Aviation Authority indicated that Cyclone Tej was likely to make landfall in Al Mahra governorate in Yemen on Monday night or Tuesday morning. It was located 280km from Salalah coast as on Monday evening.

Hamoud bin Mohammed al Mundhiri, official spokesman for the relief and shelter sector, told Muscat Daily that all shelters in Dhofar and Al Wusta governorates were ready and fully prepared to deal with any adverse effect of the cyclone.

“The Relief and Shelter Sector has prepared 69 centres equipped to accommodate about 15,000 people. Of them, 30 centres have been activated so far with 4,471 people, including 840 citizens and 3,731 residents, taking shelter there.”

Mundhiri informed that the sector has received from businesses a number of residential apartments that will be allocated to shelter Omanis. Teams have been formed – in cooperation and partnership between the relief and shelter sector – with volunteers drawn from the Ministry of Social Development, and offices of the governors, he added.

Uninterrupted health services

H E Dr Hilal Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, on Monday confirmed that the ministry took many measures to ensure uninterrupted operations of the health sector in Dhofar governorate during the tropical condition.

The Minister pointed out that some health centres and clinics have been activated, while others have been closed for the safety of visitors. He lauded the efforts being exerted by various departments to deal with Cyclone Tej.

H E Sabti gave this statement on his visit to the National Center for Emergency Management (NCEM) during which he took note of NCEM efforts to deal with the tropical condition and measures taken by the departments concerned.

Basic services

The Basic Services Sector underscored its readiness to address the effects of the tropical cyclone. The sector mobilised all necessary capabilities to tackle expected damage to roads.

The sector is continuously coordinating with the subcommittees for emergency management in the governorates of Dhofar and Al Wusta, as well as NCEM.

The Military Subcommittee for Emergency Management continues holding its meetings in the governorate of Dhofar.

The subcommittee on Monday held a meeting under the chairmanship of Brigadier Abdulkadim Ibrahim al Ajmi, Commander of Infantry Brigade 11 of the Royal Army of Oman.

The meeting discussed the developments of the tropical cyclone, while reviewing procedures undertaken by the Sultan’s Armed Forces to handle the situation within the framework of the plan set in motion by the Main Military Committee for Emergency Management.