Cyclone Mekunu Pounds Yemen Island On Its Path To Oman

SALALAH, Oman – Cyclone Mekunu roared over the Yemeni island of Socotra in the Arabian Sea on its way to Oman on Thursday, sending torrents of water rushing down streets and sinking at least two ships. At least 17 people were reported missing in the powerful storm. Indian meteorologists expected the “very severe” cyclone to strike Oman on Saturday near Salalah, the sultanate’s third-largest city and home to about 200,000 people near the country’s border with Yemen. Mekunu’s sustained winds reached 96 mph, with gusts reaching 109 mph, India said. Yemen’s pro-government SABA news agency reported that 17 people were missing after two ships capsized in the storm and three vehicles were washed away.