While passing near Socotra, Cyclone Mekunu dropped heavy rainfall, causing landslides and flooding that killed 20people. In the eastern Yemeni mainland, the cyclone caused power outages and flooding, resulting in four fatalities. In Oman, Cyclone Mekunu killed seven people and caused about US$1.5billion in damage. Rainfall from Mekunu reached 617mm (24.3in) in Salalah. The rainfall created desert lakes in the Empty Quarter, or Rub' al Khali, contributing to a locust outbreak that affected 10countries, including Pakistan where the outbreak led to a state of emergency.
Meteorological history
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Upon its formation, the storm was moving northwestward toward the Arabian Peninsula, steered by a ridge to the northeast. Both the IMD and the JTWC anticipated steady intensification, due to decreasing wind shear.[3][5] On May22, the IMD upgraded the depression to a deep depression, and later a cyclonic storm, naming it Mekunu.[3] An eye feature developed in the center of the storm on May23, indicative of an intensifying storm.[6] That day, the IMD upgraded Mekunu to a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm – the equivalent of a minimal hurricane – while the storm passing east of Socotra.[3] There was uncertainty in predictive storm models around this time whether Mekunu would continue to the northwest, or turn to the northeast,[6] although the storm would continue its northwest trajectory for the remainder of its duration.[3]
On May24, Mekunu weakened slightly due to a bout of easterly wind shear, causing the eye to become ragged.[7] However, the storm re-intensified, and the thunderstorms organized into a compact area near the center around the eye.[8] The IMD upgraded Mekunu to an extremely severe cyclonic storm on May25, estimating peak 3-minute sustained winds of 175km/h (110mph).[3] On the same day, the JTWC estimated peak winds of 185km/h (115mph), equivalent to a Category3 on the Saffir–Simpson scale.[8] At its peak intensity, Mekunu had a compact 13km (8mi) eye, which was visible on satellite imagery.[9] Between 18:30–19:30UTC on May25, Mekunu made landfall at peak intensity on southern Oman, near Raysut.[3] It was the first storm of hurricane intensity to strike Dhofar Governorate since 1959.[10] The storm rapidly weakened over the dry, mountainous terrain of western Oman.[11] On May27, the IMD downgraded Mekunu to a well-marked low-pressure area, near the borders of Oman, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia.[3]
In tracking the storm, the IMD issued a variety of warnings for fishermen and other people in the storm path.[3] Ahead of the storm, Omani officials evacuated hospitals and other areas near the country's border. Salalah Airport was shut down for a period of 24hours.[12]
Cyclone Mekunu dropped heavy rainfall on Socotra island while passing to its east, causing floods that knocked out most of the island's communications. This spurred the Yemeni government to declare a state of emergency.[12] More than 1,000households evacuated, utilizing 11shelters in the island's capital, Hadibu, or otherwise staying with relatives.[13][14][15] Flooding washed out the main road connecting Hadibu with Socotra Airport,[10] and roads on the east and west side of the island.[13] Landslides covered farms, destroyed food stocks, knocked down palm trees, and washed away thousands of animals.[15][16][14][17] The storm also damaged water wells, causing interruptions to sewage systems, and leaving residents without clean drinking water.[14][17] Five cars were destroyed by the floods, and several houses were damaged.[17][14] The storm capsized 120fishing boats and wrecked over 500fishing net.[12] Throughout the island, Mekunu killed at least 20people.[17]
On the Yemeni mainland, flooding rains damaged roads, vehicles, and buildings in Hadhramaut and Al Mahrah Governorates. The cyclone damaged power lines and generators, causing power outages. In Alaibri, flooding isolated about 2,000people for about three days.[17] The storm capsized two ships in Al Ghaydah.[14] Across the Yemeni mainland, Mekunu killed four people and injured twenty others.[17]
Cyclone Mekunu struck Oman at peak intensity,[3] bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall. Over a four-day period, the cyclone dropped 617mm (24.3in) in Salalah, which is five times the average annual rainfall. During a 24-hour period, the storm dropped 278mm (10.9in) of rainfall. The heavy rainfall flooded roads, low-lying areas, and wadis, or dry river beds.[10] The rains collected in area dams,[18] and created lakes in Rub' al Khali, or the Empty Quarter, a large desert that typically receives 30mm (1.2in) of annual rainfall. The rains created the first lakes in the desert in nearly 20years, which was expected to grow vegetation that could feed local camels for two years.[19] Salalah, just east of the landfall location, recorded sustained winds of 96km/h (60mph).[11] Dhalkoot, along the coast, recorded wind gusts of 110km/h (70mph).[10] Across Oman, particularly near Salalah, Mekunu damaged houses, cars, boats, and other property, resulting in 1,123insurance claims as of December31, totalling ﷼155million (US$403million).[20][21] The Aon insurance company estimated US$1.5billion in damage.[22] Seven people died in Oman, including one who died after being in a coma for nine days.[23]
Aftermath
After the scope of the damage became evident on Socotra, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Kuwait provided shelter, medical, and other emergency supplies. Saudi Arabia sent its first plane of aid on May27.[12][13][17][24] The UAE also sent helicopters to search for missing people, and airlifted 17people injured during the storm. The crew from the UAE helped reopen the island's roads.[17][13][25] The Qatar Red Crescent Society sent five medical teams, along with emergency supplies.[16] By May26, Socotra's airport and port were reopened.[17] The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) carried four flights of food, shelter, and water supplies.[26] On the Yemeni mainland, local Red Cross chapters provided water and food to affected residents. Workers cleared roads to restore access to isolated villages.[17]
The Oman State Council Bureau noted that national unity during the storm helped mitigate storm effects, including cooperation between military, police, information agencies, and volunteers.[27] The General Directorate of Nature Conservation worked with the Dhofar governorate to plant 600seedlings of Avicennia, to replace the plants washed out during the storm.[28]
The heavy rainfall from Mekunu created favorable breeding conditions for locusts in the Rub' al Khali, or the Empty Quarter. Five months after the storm, Cyclone Luban brought additional rainfall to the region, allowing for more locusts to breed. By February 2019, a locust infestation had spread across the Arabian Peninsula and into Iran, and later into the Horn of Africa, India, and Pakistan, eventually reaching 10countries. In February 2020, Pakistan declared an emergency due to the locusts threatening food security.[29][30][31]
1234Yemen: Cyclone Mekunu Flash Update 1. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Report). 25 May 2018. ReliefWeb. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
12Yemen: Cyclone Mekunu Flash Update 3. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Report). 30 May 2018. ReliefWeb. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
