coolest_gal
07-06-2007, 03:20 PM
The strongest tropical cyclone to threaten the Arabian Peninsula in 60 years blasted the eastern coast of Oman early Wednesday killing at least twelve people.
Abdullah al-Harthi, a spokesman for the Royal Oman Police, told local TV that at least 12 people had died in the cyclone, though he did not provide further details.
Cyclone-force winds of Gonu, which had been churning northwest through the Indian Ocean, reached the Omani coastal towns of Sur and Ra's al-Hadd, damaging buildings and trees in Oman's capital, Muscat, and leaving many roads flooded.
Heavy rains and high winds lashed capital Muscat and other nearby towns, and electricity and water supplies were disrupted.
The cyclone gradually weakened as it moved north-west towards southern Iran and the oil-rich Persian Gulf.
Omani ports were closed and flights were suspended at Muscat airport but shipping continued in the Strait of Hormuz, where at least a quarter of world oil supplies passes.
Abdullah al-Harthi, a spokesman for the Royal Oman Police, told local TV that at least 12 people had died in the cyclone, though he did not provide further details.
Cyclone-force winds of Gonu, which had been churning northwest through the Indian Ocean, reached the Omani coastal towns of Sur and Ra's al-Hadd, damaging buildings and trees in Oman's capital, Muscat, and leaving many roads flooded.
Heavy rains and high winds lashed capital Muscat and other nearby towns, and electricity and water supplies were disrupted.
The cyclone gradually weakened as it moved north-west towards southern Iran and the oil-rich Persian Gulf.
Omani ports were closed and flights were suspended at Muscat airport but shipping continued in the Strait of Hormuz, where at least a quarter of world oil supplies passes.