25-Mar-2019
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF DAMMAM PORT DUE TO STRONG WIND
Dammam, Saudi Arabia
PORT OF DAMPIER AND PORT HEDLAND TROPICAL CYCLONE VERONICA UPDATE
Port of Dampier and Port Hedland
Temporary closure of Dammam Port due to strong wind
Monday, March 25, 2019, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Ship movements for docking and undocking at Dammam port were suspended by the Port Authority/Marine Department from 21:45 hours local time yesterday (24 March) for safety reasons, due to strong dusty winds.
For information about operations at Dammam, contact GAC Saudi Arabia at dammam@gac.com
Port of Dampier and Port Hedland Tropical Cyclone Veronica update
Monday, March 25, 2019, Port of Dampier and Port Hedland
Port Walcott and Dampier and Port Hedland remain on RED alert due to Tropical Cyclone Veronica (Category 2 system). Barrow Island is on YELLOW alert and Wheatstone/Onslow on Watch only.
It is producing destructive winds and heavy rainfall west of Port Hedland.
As of 05:00 hrs local time, it was located within 35 kilometres of 20.4 degrees South, 117.7 degrees East, 95 kilometres west of Port Hedland and 95 kilometres east northeast of Karratha.
The cyclone’s core is lingering near the coast just east of Roebourne and west of Port Hedland. Veronica is continuing to weaken but remains a Category 2 system. Veronica is forecast to weaken further during Monday morning and start to move towards the west. The system is forecast to weaken below tropical cyclone intensity during Monday evening.
Hazards
Destructive winds with gusts exceeding 125 kilometres per hour are occurring along the Pilbara coast between Roebourne and west of Port Hedland. Destructive winds are possible in Karatha from late morning and during the afternoon.
Gales with gusts to 100 kilometres per hour are expected in remaining parts between Port Hedland and Mardie, and may extend to adjacent inland areas including Pannawonica from early Monday morning. Gales may extend to Barrow Island from Monday afternoon.
The slow movement of the cyclone means that communities in the path of the cyclone should prepare to shelter from the destructive winds for an extended period during Monday. Gales are likely to contract from the east and ease at Port Hedland during Monday morning.
Widespread, very heavy rainfall conducive to major flooding is likely over the Pilbara coast and adjacent inland areas during Monday. Heavy rainfall is expected to result in significant river rises, areas of flooding and hazardous road conditions. Some roads may become impassable and some communities may become isolated.
People along the Pilbara coast east of Karratha are warned of the potential for a dangerous storm tide on the high tide early Monday afternoon (high tide at 1:30pm Monday at Karratha). Tides are likely to rise significantly above the normal high tide mark with damaging waves and dangerous coastal inundations. In remaining warning areas, it is advised that tides will rise above the normal high tide mark with some flooding of low-lying coastal areas.
For information about operations at Australia ports contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
