| Cyclonic storm (IMD) | |
|---|---|
| Tropical storm (SSHS) | |
| Formed | June 6, 1977 |
| Dissipated | June 14, 1977 |
| Highest winds | 3-minute sustained: 65 km/h (40 mph) 1-minute sustained: 110 km/h (70 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 956 mbar (hPa; 28.23 inHg) |
| Fatalities | At least 105 |
| Areas affected | Oman |
| Part of the 1977 North Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
The 1977 Oman cyclone was the second-strongest cyclone on record to hit the Arabian Peninsula, after Cyclone Gonu. It formed off the west coast of India in the Arabian Sea, and curved westward to reach peak winds of 70 mph (110 km/h). The storm struck Masirah Island and later southern Oman on June 13, before dissipating the next day over Saudi Arabia. It killed at least 105 people and left 50,000 homeless.
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On June 9, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) identified a tropical disturbance off the west coast of India in the Arabian Sea. The system moved northward, followed by a northwest turn on June 10; around that time, it is estimated the system intensified into a tropical storm. It curved toward the west, and the JTWC reported the cyclone as reaching peak winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) on June 11. The JTWC issued the final advisory at 0800 UTC on June 13 as the storm was making landfall on Masirah Island.[1] The Oman Department of Meteorology reported the storm as being much stronger than the JTWC, with sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) with gusts to 140 mph (230 km/h).[2] Shortly after striking Masirah, the storm moved ashore mainland Oman, causing rapid weakening to tropical depression status. The system dissipated on June 14 after crossing into southeastern Saudi Arabia.[1]
The cyclone was the strongest on record to make landfall on the Arabian Peninsula, until Cyclone Gonu surpassed it in 2007.[3][4]
High swell up to 7 metres (23 ft) impacted the MV Strathmeigle and several drilling rigs shut down. By June 10, the system turned to the west-northwest. The tanker Texaco Plymouth experienced significant structural damage from the storm, and lost two lifeboats. The freighter Buxom Island experienced 139 km/h (86 mph) winds before sinking near 20N 63W, which took the lives of 23 of its crew.[5]
The military base in Masirah raised a Category 3 warning on the morning of June 12, which was soon upgraded to Category 2. Skies clouded over in the afternoon, and rain squalls moved across the island that evening. Hurricane-force winds struck during the morning hours of June 13, with sustained winds peaking at 167 km/h (104 mph) with gusts to 200 km/h (124 mph). The pressure fell to 956 millibars (28.2 inHg), and Masirah remained within the eye for 40 minutes. Winds then increased out of the southwest towards 185 km/h (115 mph) which caused buildings to collapse and roof beams to be blown through the air. Every building at the base sustained damage, and virtually all homes in the nearby village were leveled. Rain totals were significant, with a total of 482.3 millimetres (18.99 in) falling 40 kilometres (25 mi) northeast of Salalah.[5] One location reported 430.6 millimetres (16.95 in) in 24 hours.[2] Floods washed away thousands of animals as well as lime and palm-tree plantations.[5] Additionally, the winds downed thousands of trees across the region.[6]
The cyclone was considered the worst disaster in Oman during the 20th century.[6] Overall, the cyclone caused 105 deaths and 48 injuries,[7] and 50,000 people were left homeless.[6] The death toll is disputed, as another report indicated 110 deaths in Oman.[5]