Tropical Storm "Shakti": No Threat to UAE

Tropical Storm on the Horizon? UAE Reassures Everyone, No Impact on the Country

In the United Arab Emirates, many were filled with concern when news emerged of a newly formed tropical storm named "Shakti," swirling in the western part of the Arabian Sea. However, UAE meteorological authorities quickly clarified the situation, and in their official statement, they confirmed: the storm poses no threat to the country.

The tropical cyclone named Shakti — whose name comes from the Sinhalese language, meaning strength, energy — is currently categorized as a tropical storm with wind speeds of 60-70 kilometers per hour. The storm's center is located around 19.6 degrees north latitude and 60.5 degrees east longitude, far from the UAE's shores. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) cited detailed satellite observations stating: the tropical storm is not moving in a direction that would pose a threat to the Emirates' area.

Preventive Warning, Quick Reassurance

Previously, the NCM issued a red alert due to weather phenomena occurring in the region, but it was more of a precautionary measure rather than a specific emergency. The meteorological service has since confirmed: no rain, strong winds, or coastal storm surge is expected in the UAE, and they are continuously monitoring the storm's development.

Residents are urged to only rely on official sources for information and not spread misleading rumors on social media. Recently, it has occurred multiple times that false news has stirred emotions — particularly concerning tropical systems, which are typically fast-moving and often change direction.

The Storm is Expected to Weaken Quickly

Experts suggest that the Shakti tropical storm will begin to weaken within the next 24 hours. Its movement direction is southeast, with speeds ranging between 25–55 kilometers per hour. Meteorologists believe that the system will soon downgrade to a tropical depression, eventually becoming a low-pressure atmospheric zone.

This phenomenon is rather common in the Arabian Sea region between September and November. This part of the Indian Ocean regularly generates tropical systems, but they typically do not reach significant land areas, especially not UAE shores. Shakti is also one of those formations typical for the region.

Precautions in Neighboring Countries

While people in the UAE breathed a sigh of relief, Oman is paying closer attention to the events. On October 4th, Omani authorities reported that the effects of the storm are already being felt on the country's northeastern coastline. It is possible that parts of the system will strengthen and develop into a category 1 cyclone.

Based on the Saffir–Simpson scale, this still represents the lowest category, but wind speeds between 119 and 153 kilometers per hour are expected, which can already cause minor infrastructural damage and justify the restriction of maritime and coastal activities. Thus, in Oman, residents are urged to avoid beaches, swimming, and any water activities in at-risk areas.

Lessons Learned from the Incident

Situations like this again highlight the importance of accurate and reliable information, especially in rapidly changing natural events, like a tropical cyclone. The UAE handled the situation exemplarily: they informed the public in a timely manner and quickly reassured people after closely monitoring the situation, thus avoiding panic.

In the digital age, rumors and fake news can spread instantly, even through well-intentioned sharing. That's why it's crucial that people learn to recognize official channels — be it the National Centre of Meteorology, municipal websites, or ministry communications.

Future Weather Challenges

Although this time the storm named Shakti did not cause damage in the UAE, the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly felt in different parts of the world. The Arabian Peninsula is no exception: extreme weather phenomena — such as sudden downpours, sandstorms, or unusually intense summer heatwaves — are becoming more frequent.

The scientific community therefore suggests that urban development, infrastructure, and agricultural planning should pay greater attention to weather modeling and forecasting. Dubai is already making significant investments in developing rainwater drainage systems, and similar projects are underway in other emirates.

Conclusion

News of the Shakti tropical storm caused some alarm among the UAE population, but thanks to the effective information dissemination by local authorities and continuous meteorological monitoring, it quickly became apparent that the storm would not impact the country's territory. Residents can remain calm, but the incident highlighted once again the fundamental importance of sourcing information from official channels and the responsible handling of information in modern societies. The UAE's example demonstrates how to respond preparedly and consciously to a potential natural challenge — even if it eventually proves to be harmless.

(Source of the article: Statement from the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).)