Oman: Salalah airport reopens following Cyclone Mekunu /update 4

Event

Salalah International Airport (SLL) reopened to air traffic at 00:01 (local time) on Sunday, May 27, following the passage of Cyclone Mekunu. The storm has left at least six people dead - according to information available on Monday - and forced the evacuation of thousands of others in Oman. Flash flooding and localized power outages were reported in Salalah due to the storm; recovery and clean-up efforts are underway in affected areas.

Context

Tropical Cyclone Mekunu made landfall on May 26 near Salalah as a "extremely severe cyclonic storm," according to the Indian Meteorological Department, with maximum sustained winds of around 185 km/h (115 mph), equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The storm previously hit the Yemeni island of Socotra on May 24, causing widespread flooding and power outages and leaving at seven people dead and dozens others missing.

Strong tropical cyclones rarely hit Oman. Notably, in 2007, Cyclone Gonu caused USD 4 billion in damage in Oman and killed dozens across affected parts of the Middle East. The last cyclone to hit within 160 km (100 mi) of Salalah struck the region in 1959. 

Advice

Individuals present in Oman, particularly in Salalah, are advised to monitor local weather forecasts, adhere to any orders issued by the local authorities, and confirm flight reservations. In the event of flooding, remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products.