Oct 4, 2021 - Energy & Climate

Deadly cyclone slams Oman and Iran

Axios

Flooding in the Omani capital Muscat, as the Shaheen tropical storm hits the country Sunday. — Flooding in Oman's capital, Muscat, as a tropical storm hits the country. Photo: Mohammed Mahjoub/AFP via Getty Images

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen killed at least nine people as it slammed coastal areas of Oman and Iran Sunday, the BBC reports.

Of note: Shaheen is the first tropical cyclone to ever hit Oman's far north, as it triggered flash flooding and heavy rains — with some areas of the desert climate seeing over a year's worth of rain in one day, Yale Climate Connections notes.

The big picture: Shaheen weakened to a tropical storm after making landfall near Oman's capital, Muscat, with maximum sustained winds of 75-93 mph Sunday evening, according to state media.

Three people died in the country and six others were killed by the storm in southeastern Iran, per Al Jazeera.
Infrastructure damage was reported in both countries and more than 2,700 people in Oman had to flee to emergency shelters, Al Jazeera notes.

Context: Scientists have directly linked human-caused global warming to extreme weather events.

For the record: A cyclone is the term these countries and others in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific regions use for the same weather phenomenon as a hurricane or typhoon, per NOAA.

Add Axios on Google

Deadly cyclone slams Oman and Iran

What to read next