Cyclone hits Gulf state of Oman Grey clouds over Muscat at Cyclone Gonu approaches Muscat residents evacuated as storm clouds gathered A powerful cyclone is passing near the Gulf state of Oman, bringing heavy rains to the capital, Muscat. Tropical Cyclone Gonu is continuing north-west towards Iran but wind speeds have dropped to about 100mph (175 km/h).Thousands of residents were evacuated from Oman's coast and the offshore island of Masirah. Hundreds have also been evacuated from the Iranian coast. The storm is the most powerful in the region for 60 years. The US military predicted that Gonu would become a "very weak" tropical cyclone over the next 48-72 hours.But there were predictions that heavy rains could cause flash flooding by the time Gonu reached the south coast of Iran. High wavesIn Oman, people were told to stay indoors, while schools and public buildings were emptied to make room for the evacuees. BBC Gulf correspondent Julia Wheeler says Gonu is bringing both strong winds and waves of up to 12m high (36ft). Route of CycloneLow-lying areas have been evacuated. In the island of Masirah, 230km off the coast (140 miles), 7,000 people have left their homes. In the coastal capital of Muscat, people have been advised to stay indoors and to switch off their power. Schools have been designated as emergency shelters and the international airport is closed. The most powerful part of the storm was expected to hit Oman on Thursday, before moving north across the Gulf to Iran.