Keila Cyclone - Storm and Rain bring flood in to the Desert Towns of Oman

Cyclonic Storm Keila is known as Cyclone Keila, is the first named cyclonic storm and the first storm to reach cyclone intensity of the 2011 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. Keila developed from a low pressure area in the Arabian Sea that organized into a tropical depression on October 29. At least 14 people are known to have been killed in Oman and more than 200 have been injured. As a cyclonic storm, Keila produced torrential rains over Oman resulting in six direct deaths



While Keila was in its peak intensity on November 2, parts of Oman received torrential rainfall the same day. This caused widespread flooding in the country. It was also reported that 6 people were killed by the force of the floodwater in the Rustaq and Batinah regions. Traffic jams were reported throughout the affected areas

It is also reported that nine sailors are missing in the Arabian Sea when the Indian Ship MSV Shiv Sagar MNV 2169 sank as the storm passed over them. It is reported that Five bodies have been spotted on the surface of the sea and the coast guards are aiding in retrieving the bodies.

A total of 14 fatalities were reported in Oman, most of them caused by drowning. Police helicopters have evacuated about 60 patients from Al Nahdha and Khoula hospitals which have been closed for maintenance. The patients have been transferred to other hospitals.

Under the influence of a low-level trough, a low-pressure area formed over the Arabian Sea in late October. The system became more well marked as it organized itself. The India Meteorological Department, the RSMC of this basin, designated the system Depression "ARB 02" on October 29.

The depression moved toward the Middle East during the next few days and intensified into a Deep Depression on November 1. Favorable conditions in the Arabian Sea helped the storm intensify further and the IMD upgraded the storm into a Cyclonic Storm on November 2, naming it "Keila".

Keila soon struck the Oman coast to the south of Salalah. This resulted in widespread floods and 14 fatalities. Once moving inland, the storm weakened due to the influence of the landmass. It stalled and re-emerged into the ocean water again, but was not successful in intensifying. The storm dissipated into a low pressure area on November 4.

Storm Brings Catastrophic Floods into Desert Towns of Oman

A huge desert storm floods a town and spins cars down a road which has turned into a large river. This was filmed in Dar Seet. Huge storms periodically hit the region in the SE Arabian Peninsula.