Oman’s Port of Sohar has taken all measures to limit the damage which cyclone Gonu could have on people and goods.

The cyclone is expected to have the biggest impact on Sohar this afternoon, according to a weather forecast.

Industries are being shut down and employees are being evacuated. A limited number of personnel will monitor the situation on site, said a statement.

The evacuation is coordinated by the Oman Royal Police and the port authorities. In order to avoid congestion on the roads, employees will leave the port area in different time windows.

The centre of the cyclone is moving presently in northerly direction towards the coast of Iran, according to one forecast. Another predicts that it will come ashore and will move towards Sohar.

In view of this, industries in the Port of Sohar are taking all precautionary measures.

Sohar Industrial Port Company, the port authority, has estimated that due to the storm the water could rise above the level of the quay walls in a worst case scenario. The velocity of the wind could be as high as 80-100 km per hour.

At the moment there are no ships in the port. One vessel which was expected for tomorrow, coming from Salalah in the South of Oman, will postpone its call. No ships had to be refused so far. -TradeArabia News Service