Monster cyclone threatens Yemen & Oman

Years’ worth of rain in 48 hours: Monster cyclone threatens Yemen & Oman with floods, landslides

Published time: 30 Oct, 2015 19:04

© Gene Blevins / Reuters

A large tropical cyclone coming from the Indian Ocean promises record rainfall in the otherwise arid deserts of the Arabian Peninsula. Meteorologists predict about eight years’ worth of rain in the coastal areas of Oman and Yemen within two days.

The cyclone dubbed Chapala formed in the Arabian Sea and now winds are moving at speeds about 175km/h, the US Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) reports. Chapala has been rated a Category 4 hurricane, which could be raised to Category 5. It is spinning westward through the northern Indian Ocean.

Chapala is expected to become a super-cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours, with sustained winds of up to 230km/h. The storm intensified very quickly over the 24-hour period from Thursday to Friday.