The 2002 Oman cyclone (JTWC designation: 01A, officially known as Cyclonic Storm ARB 01[1]) was a tropical cyclone that struck the Dhofar region of Oman in May 2002. The first storm of the 2002 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, it developed on May6 in the Arabian Sea, and it maintained a general west-northwest track for much of its duration. The system reached cyclonic storm status on May9, meaning it attained winds of greater than 65km/h (40mph), and on May10 it made landfall near Salalah; shortly thereafter it dissipated. The storm was rare, in the sense that it was one of only twelve tropical cyclones on record to approach the Arabian Peninsula in the month of May.[1]
Quick Facts Meteorological history, Formed ...
Cyclonic Storm ARB 01
The cyclone near peak intensity prior to landfall on May 9
The storm brought the heaviest number of people to Dhofar in 30years, causing flooding and creating rivers in wadis, or typically dry riverbeds. Several people drowned after their vehicles were swept away by the flooding. The storm caused locally heavy damage, totaling $25million (2002USD).
Meteorological history
An area of convection developed on May2, 2002 near Sri Lanka, associated with a weak and broad circulation center. The system tracked west-northwestward through the Arabian Sea along a trough near the equator. Its thunderstorm activity was enhanced by a ridge to its north, though was also removed from the center. By May5, the circulation had become better defined, and concurrently the convection increased over the center.[2] After further organization, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) classified the system as Depression ARB01A on May6.[1] Around the same time, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) classified it as Tropical Depression 01A, while located about 1,300km (810mi) southeast of Salalah, Oman.[2]
After becoming a tropical cyclone, the depression turned to a northwest motion before resuming a track to the west-northwest. On May7 it intensified into a deep depression,[1] and though its winds had increased, the structure became disorganized as the center became exposed from the thunderstorm activity. The convection waned, due to the influence of dry air from the Arabian Peninsula, as well as from wind shear.[2] As a result, the IMD downgraded it to depression status early on May8.[1] However, later in the day, convection redeveloped over the western half of the circulation,[2] and it again reached deep depression status, about 830km (520mi) southeast of Oman.[1]
The storm maintained poleward outflow as it continued west-northwestward. Early on May9 the IMD upgraded the system to a cyclonic storm,[1] estimating winds of 65km/h (40mph) and a pressure of 994mbar (29.4inHg).[3] Around that time, the storm was estimated by the JTWC to have attained peak winds of 85km/h (50km/h),[2] with an atmospheric pressure of 991mbar.[4] While located a short distance offshore, the storm turned to the northwest and weakened slightly. At about 0900UTC on May10, the storm made landfall near Salalah, Oman. Shortly thereafter, it began dissipation over Oman.[2] Its landfall in the Dhofar region of Oman was uncommon; in the period from 1891 to 1990, only 17tropical depressions or storms struck the region.[5]
Impact
Along the coastline, the arrival of the storm resulted in strong waves of up to 4 metres (13 feet).[1] The storm dropped heavy rainfall in the vicinity of its landfall,[1] which were the greatest totals in 30years in the Dhofar region.[6] The city of Salalah reported 58mm (2.3in) in a 24‑hour period as the storm moved ashore, which was more than 300% of its average monthly for May.[7] As a result, some flooding was reported in the city,[1] and several wadis, or typically dry riverbeds, became sudden rivers in the area; one station recorded a discharge of 1146m3/s (40,470ft3/s).[5] In Qairoon, precipitation amounted to 251mm (9.9in), which was the highest total in Oman. Severe thunderstorms were reported during its passage, with wind gusts peaking at 106km/h (66mph).[1] In neighboring Yemen, the city of Al Ghaydah reported light winds of about 45km/h (30mph).[2]
Damage was severe and widespread,[1] estimated at $25million (2002USD).[6] Storm impact included property, crop, transportation, and agricultural damage,[8] with hundreds of cattle drowning during the passage of the storm.[6] Across the Dhofar region of Oman, the storm caused several injuries[1] and a total of nine fatalities;[1] most of the deaths were drownings, occurring when their vehicles were swept away by flooding in typically dry areas.[8] Two army soldiers and one police officer drowned while saving other people in danger.[9]
In the aftermath of the storm, the Omani government received 4,000requests for assistance, and in turn provided financial aid to 500families; additionally, the government supplied temporary housing for displaced people.[9]
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (2003-03-10). "2002 Annual Tropical Cyclones Review"(PDF). World Meteorological Organization. Archived(PDF) from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
Kenneth R. Knapp; Michael C. Kruk; David H. Levinson; Howard J. Diamond; Charles J. Neumann (2010). 2002 Missing (2002126N09068). The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS): Unifying tropical cyclone best track data (Report). Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2013-10-28.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article 2002_Oman_cyclone, and is written by contributors.
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