Oman, Yemen Hit By Strong Cyclone Mekunu; 7 Dead, Several Missing

One of the strongest cyclones in southern Oman slammed into Oman and and war-torn Yemen on Sunday leaving more than thirty missing and seven dead.

Called Mekunu, the cyclone caused flash flood in Salalah, third-largest city of Oman. It tore away roofing, whole roadways and street lights. The beaches were littered with debris.

Salah is home to about 2,00,000 people and portion of it lost power after being hit by the storm.

Yemen reveived heavy rainfall on Thursday when Mekunu hit Socotra. Yemen’s fisheries minister Fahad Kafin said the cyclone has caused heavy damage in the area.

Rescue team found four sailors in their search operations. More than two dozen people are still missing.

Governor of al-Mahra province, Rageh Bakrit said strong winds have blown down houses in the country’s far east, along the border with Oman. Communication lines and water services have also been taken down by the winds. However, there’s no fatalities in the province.

The maximum speed of the storm was 170-180 kilometers per hour and gusts were up to 200 kph. India’s Meteorological Department called the Mekunu cyclone as extremely severe.