Cyclone Mekunu weakens to tropical storm

The latest warning from the National Multi Hazard & Early Warning Center (at 9am on Saturday) said the tropical cyclone Mekunu has weakened to a tropical storm with surface wind speed around 35 to 50 knots. In its earlier warning 8 issued at 6am, the met department said the tropical cyclone continues as Category (1), accompanied by heavy thundershowers over Dhofar and Al-Wusta,  strong winds. Rainfall will be range of 200 - 400 mm causing flash floods in low lying areas due to rising sea levels. The cyclone is moving towards the northwest of Dhofar with wind speed of 65-75 knots (120-140 km/h) of around the center. Dhofar governorate is expected to receive heavy rainfall over the next 36 hours. The Sea state will be rough in Dhofar and Al Wusta with a wave height of 8 to 12 meters causing floods in low lying levels due to rising sea levels, while in the South Sharqiyah it will be around 3 to 5 metres.