TERRA.WIRE
Oman cyclone damage could reach 3.9 billion dollars
MUSCAT, June 16 (AFP) Jun 16, 2007
Oman said Saturday that the damage caused by Cyclone Gonu, which tore through the country earlier this month, could rise to 3.9 billion dollar, ONA state news agency said.

Preliminary surveys have estimated the damage between 1.25 billion riyals (3.25 billion dollars) and 1.5 billion riyals (3.9 billion dollars), the ministry of economy said, according to ONA.

The damage to infrastructure alone could reach one billion riyals (2.6 billion dollars).

At least 49 people were killed when Gonu hit the coast of Oman along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman on June 6, before veering towards Iran.

The fiercest storm to hit the region for 30 years forced thousands of people from their homes and left a trail of destruction along the east coast of a country unaccustomed to such violent weather.