Post-Gonu Analysis: Cyclone, a New Terminology in the Gulf
by Robert D'Costa
(Robert D'Costa, an alumnus of St Aloysius College, Mangalore, has worked in the sales field both at Mumbai and Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, for over two-and-a-half decades. He has been involved as a language professional, working with a leading English daily published from Mangalore. His interests vary from travelling to four-wheel drive adventure and sharing of reminiscences. He will be contributing to our website regularly from now on. - Editor-in-chief)
June 15, 2007
Storms were quite common in the Arab Gulf Co-Operation Council (AGCC) countries than the rare cyclone Gonu. The storms originating from the interiors of these countries gather momentum carrying sand particles forming a radius of few miles both within the country or cross the borders.
Oil majors operating their on-shore oil rigs have clear instructions for all of their technical staff, not to drive when faced with such a situation. These sand-storms make visibility difficult for a few kilometres as it makes driving hazardous like mist while driving on a stretch of highways, passing through Jebels (mountains) in Dhofar region where Salalah, the summer palace of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos located.
The Sultanate of Oman, with its capital, Muscat (known as capital area) and 6 regions, namely. Al Batinah, Al Dakhaliya, Sharqiya, Dhofar, Masirah and Khassab, has varied climates, ranging from 40 degree Celsius to 5 degree celsius at Jebel Shams/Saiq.
These storms are known to create little damage when they pass through the country. However, cyclones are generally restricted to tropical countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and other Asian countries which are known to be hit by heavy rains, coupled with high-velocity winds, over 120 kms per hour. They flatten everything when while passing.
Early monsoon clouds this year, which were to hit the coast of Kerala seems to have changed their course and may have possibly caused havoc in the Sultanate of Oman. This act of God, again reminds us of the tremendous powers of nature's forces where mankind remains as a mute spectator, for its devastation.
The global warming across the world perhaps could be the cause of cyclones and hurricanes, despite the fact that the Sultanate strictly follows eco-friendly policies. The Muscat Municipality has won a top-notch award for being the best in maintaining cleanliness, only next to Switzerland, in the past. Cyclone Gonu, severed communication networks, by rendering the earth stations located high in mountains and plains unoperational, besides extensively damaging infrastructure.
The underwriters of insurance companies with re-insurers in the European Union (EU) seem to be busy settling claims whose auto policies are comprehensively covered to include the act of God. As aftermath of Gonu, new measures are likely to be included in the future, to reduce the impact of a similar kind.
- CLICK HERE for full coverage of Gonu: 'Oh Man' ! What Havoc ! What Wreckage !
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