Tropical depression forms over Arabian Sea: Met

Muscat: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Oman Met Office confirmed on Tuesday the formation of a tropical depression over the northeast of the Arabian Sea, close to the Indian state of Gujarat.

According to the National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Centre, the depression was observed at latitude 22.5°N and longitude 68.8°E, with estimated wind speeds of 37–50 km/h near its center. The system is expected to move westwards toward the central Arabian Sea and may intensify further within the next 48 hours.

Meteorologists have stressed that there is no direct impact expected on the Sultanate of Oman during the next three days. However, the country will continue to witness high and medium cloud advection, with occasional chances of light rain in some governorates.

Satellite images on Tuesday showed the flow of dense cloud formations across much of the Sultanate, while over the Arabian Sea, forecasters observed cumulus activity associated with the low-pressure system. International monitoring agencies have also confirmed the likelihood of the depression strengthening.

A forecaster at the Oman Met Office told Observer:

“For the next three days, we are not expecting any direct impact. The focus remains on the low-pressure area moving gradually from the Indian subcontinent toward the Arabian Sea.”