ASHOBA weakens into tropical depression

Tropical storm ASHOBA has weakened to a tropical depression, according to UAE's National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS).

In a statement issued Friday, the NCMS said the latest satellite imagery and observations, in addition to weather reports from the main regional centres, indicated that tropical storm ASHOBAA has been downgraded to a tropical depression, as surface wind speeds decrease gradually around the centre of the storm to 37 to 61 kilometres per hour.

The centre also said the latest weather forecast charts suggested the tropical system would gradually weaken during the next 12 hours, while approaching the coast of the Sultanate of Oman, accompanied by heavy rains and significant winds in these areas.

Further, the Sea of Oman will continue to be rough for the next 48 hours along the east coasts of the UAE, with clouds formations expected over these areas.