OMAN BRACES FOR TROPICAL CYCLONE GONU

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000571 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2017 TAGS: AEMR AMGT ASEC SENV MOPS CA MU SUBJECT: OMAN BRACES FOR TROPICAL CYCLONE GONU REF: MUSCAT 568 Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo for Reasons 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (U) This is an Action Request. Please see paragraph 6. ¶2. (U) According to the latest reports from U.S. weather monitoring services, tropical cyclone "Gonu" - a category 4 storm - will continue to move westwards across the Arabian Sea towards the coast of Oman. Current forecasts warn that several inches of rain, accompanied by potentially very strong winds, could fall on Muscat and the northern Omani coast beginning in the late afternoon or early evening (local time) of June 5. Moreover, Gonu could potentially produce storm surges as high as 10 feet along the coast in affected areas. Such conditions could result in severe flooding in and around Muscat, while high winds may disrupt or knock out power and communications. Local media report that the storm has already produced heavy rain and significant damage in the city of Sur further south down the coast from Muscat. ¶3. (SBU) The government of Oman is taking precautionary measures in anticipation of the storm's impact. The island of Masirah, home of a major military installation and the site of U.S. War Reserve Material (WRM),has been evacuated. Omani officials are also evacuating certain low-lying areas area in the greater Muscat area, including in the Muttrah port district. The Seeb International Airport near Muscat will likely shut down operations when the severe weather reaches the capital. The government has additionally ordered a "holiday" for both the public and private sectors on June ¶6. ¶4. (C) The Embassy, which sits directly on the Muscat shoreline, is proactively preparing for the storm. The Embassy issued a warden message to U.S. citizens in Oman on June 5 at approximately 12:45 local time; guidance and announcement of liberal/administrative leave policies for the storm were also issued to Embassy employees. Employees essential to emergency operations -- including maintenance of communications, security of the Embassy physical plant, and emergency transportation -- will remain on duty or on call. Electronic equipment, including computer and telecommunications hardware, is being moved from the basement of the Embassy to the top floor of the building; some Embassy vehicles will be relocated from the motorpool. The Embassy will stand up the Alternative Command Center beginning the afternoon of June 5. A contingency plan to move American employees and their families, including the Ambassador, living near the waterfront to residences on higher ground is being implemented. (Note: Reftel and septel reports of post Emergency Action Committee meetings provide further information on Embassy emergency measures. End Note.) ¶5. (C) To assist Oman in dealing with the expected impact of Gonu, the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) in Bahrain has already sent three amphibious ships from a Marine Expeditionary Unit, which includes search and rescue/recovery capabilities, towards Muscat. The vessels are scheduled to arrive in the vicinity of Oman early on June 6 (local time). NAVCENT has also put together an itemized emergency assistance package for Oman and is prepared to send this assistance upon the request of the Omani government. The Ambassador extended this offer to the Inspector General of the Royal Oman Police (ROP),as well as to the office of the Commander of the Royal Oman Air Force. (Note: The offer of assistance was also passed directly to the Royal Office and the Chief of Staff of the Sultan's Armed Forces. End Note.) The Embassy is additionally working to identify WRM stocks, including excess humanitarian articles, at the Omani military base at Thumrait for possible use in storm recovery efforts, but will require U.S. Central Command Air Forces (CENTAF) approval to turn over such materials to the Omani government. ¶6. (C) Action Request: Embassy requests immediate information on U.S. government assets and resources, both civilian and military, that can be provided to Oman for humanitarian assistance and relief efforts in addition to the aid offered by NAVCENT in the event assistance is requested. End Action Request. GRAPPO