Muscat: Cyclone Mekunu hits southern Oman - leaves 12-year-old girl dead, three injured


Muscat, May 26 (Agencies): Cyclone Mekunu has hit southern Oman with high winds and rain, killing a 12-year-old girl and leaving three other people injured, officials say.

The girl died after wind swept her against a wall, police said.

State TV showed large areas of flooding in Dhofar and al-Wusta provinces, with dozens of vehicles submerged.

The cyclone intensified in strength on Friday but has now been downgraded and officials said it would weaken further into a tropical storm.

Cyclone Mekunu's landfall to the west of Salalah, Oman's second city, came a day after it lashed the Yemeni island of Socotra, where at least seven people were reported to have been killed.

Thousands of residents near coastal areas in Dhofar and al-Wusta had been moved to shelters as 170km/h (105mph) winds and torrential rain hammered the region, officials said.

About 10,000 people had been evacuated from schools and government buildings, mainly in Salalah, civil defence authorities said.

Authorities have told residents to stay inside and Salalah's airport has been closed until midnight on Saturday.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Bengaluru/Katapadi

    Sat, May 26 2018

    Cyclones are spreading all the places of the world which is a dangerous trend

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • steven, dxb

    Sat, May 26 2018

    I always appreciate the living and the opportunity been given by this country for my career growth. I luv Salalah and missing the smell of the Dhofar region immensely. Love you Oman.

    DisAgree Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ozy, Surathkal

    Sat, May 26 2018

    My bread and butter place, beautiful Salalah,I lived here for 20 years.
    May this place be well protected that is my earnest wish.

    DisAgree Agree [38] Reply Report Abuse

  • Stany Menezes, Muscat/ Pangla

    Sat, May 26 2018

    Salalah is the beautiful and blessed place and I lived there for 5 years. Our prayers are with you guys .
    Take care and be safe.

    DisAgree Agree [47] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, May 26 2018

    You will be in our Prayers ...

    DisAgree Agree [48] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Muscat: Cyclone Mekunu hits southern Oman - leaves 12-year-old girl dead, three injured



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