Omani authorities have decided that Sunday and Monday (Oct. 3 and 4) will be an official holiday nationwide due to bad weather conditions triggered by tropical storm (Shaheen). Oman's official news agency reported that the decision came due to the adverse climate conditions in the Sultanate, and to ensure the safety of public and private employees. However, the official agency said that private companies may ask their staff to work during the public holiday, only if necessary. Oman's Civil Aviation Authority warned on Friday that tropical storm Shaheen was expected to develop into a category 1 tropical cyclone in the next 24 hours. The public was advised to take precautions and steer away from low-lying areas, and avoid crossing wadis, or valleys. The Oman Civil Aviation Authority said on Friday that tropical storm Shaheen would directly impact coastal areas including the capital Muscat from Sunday. "The center of the storm is about 650 km away from Muscat Governorate and the closest convective clouds band associated with the storm is about 500 km away," the authority said in a statement on Twitter. Shaheen continues to move towards the coastal areas from north Muscat and the governorate of Al Batinah, both of which it is expected to directly impact on Sunday, including strong winds and heavy rain causing severe flash floods. Rough seas are expected starting from Saturday evening between south Al-Sharqiya to Musandam with waves reaching heights of 8 to 12 meters, the Civil Aviation Authority said. — Agencies
