MUSCAT, MAY 27 - Sembcorp Salalah Power and Water Co SAOG, which operates a major Independent Water and Power Project (IWPP) near Mirbat in Dhofar Governorate, says it has temporarily suspended production of potable water citing disruptions caused by Cyclone Mekunu.
The plant currently accounts for the bulk of potable water supply to Salalah and other parts of the governorate, although in the event of disruptions of this nature, the Directorate General of Water in Dhofar, can bring a number of groundwater wells into production.
In a filing to the Capital Market Authority (CMA), Sembcorp Salalah said it is continuing to produce power and deliver it to the Dhofar grid. “Our water production plant is temporarily shut down due to a severe worsening of sea conditions during the cyclone, conditions that still persist,” it stated however.
“The Company, with the help of its staff, took all necessary measures to minimize the impact of the Cyclone. Our preliminary assessment is that the total impact due to cyclone is not expected to be material. However, the total impact of the cyclone on plant operations cannot yet be precisely assessed at this point in time,” the company added.
Salalah Port said it “suffered extensive damage” as a result of the storm. Recovery and salvage operations are ongoing, it noted, adding: “It is expected to take a minimum of 72 hours to make the Port safe and we will update you when the Port resume operations.”
Significantly, Sembcorp Salalah is one of several Dhofar based industries and businesses that reported damage to plant infrastructure and other adverse impacts to their operations in the wake of the cyclone.
Also notable is Raysut Cement Company, which has announced a production stoppage for about 8-10 days, citing storm related disruptions. Besides causing some external damage, Mekunu also contributed to water logging in the production buildings and stockyard, Ghose Jotirmoy Pratul Krishna, CEO, stated.
Dhofar Poultry Company SAOG revealed that the roof of breeding sheds at its Salalah complex had been damaged, while the storm also impacted the company’s slaughterhouse and workers’ housing. Processed goods could not be sold as well due to market closures, Salim bin Taman Musalam al Mashani, CEO, said in a filing to the CMA.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
