Ahmad al-Harthi, director of the meteorology department, said: "Oman is normally affected by tropical cyclones from time to time, but this is one of the severest since the 1977 storm, bearing in mind we have records going back to 1890."A weather service official said the cyclone could cause more damage as it was expected to sweep northwards along the heavily populated coast.The centre of the storm is expected to hit land in southeastern Iran, possibly disrupting shipping through the Gulf.
Energy exportsThe Sur export terminal, which handles 10 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas exports every year, would be closed for at least 48 hours, a shipper said. Sultan Qaboos port, which handles vehicles and containers, was also closed.
The Mina al Fahal oil terminal, the only outlet for Oman's 650,000 barrels per day of crude oil production, closed during the day as storms hit the area. Rashid al-Barwani, an oil official, said it had since reopened and delays would be short-lived.Production was also suspended at the Mukhaizna oil field, with an estimated output of about 10,000 barrels per day, but it may resume on Wednesday, Nasser bin Khamis al Jashmi, undersecretary at the oil ministry, told state television.
Oil prices surged above $70 on news of the cyclone in the Gulf region, which supplies one fifth of the world's oil.Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, said its main oil region would not be affected. Kuwait's oil refining company said everything was operating as normal there.
StormThe weather centre of the neighbouring United Arab Emirates, an Opec oil exporter, said the cyclone was expected to bring rain on Wednesday with clouds emerging over its eastern coast.
"Its full strength will become apparent in the next 24 hours. In 2002, we had a similar storm. They happen in the area from mid-May to the end of June," Salama Hashshad, an official at the central forecasting unit, said.
Oman's state media had earlier said that thousands of people were evacuated from the Masirah Island in the Arabian Sea, but an Omani disaster relief official said that the cyclone had changed direction leaving the island unharmed.
Oman's official television station urged people to stay in their homes or go to buildings that could withstand strong winds, to avoid highways and to turn off electricity. The police are on high alert.
Official media said Oman's stock exchange would close along with all private and public sector institutions until Saturday.
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