Pakistan on Wednesday told fishermen in the country's south-west to stay ashore during the next 24 hours as one of the strongest cyclones in years damaged boats and buildings.
The warning came after Cyclone Gonu hit the east coast of Oman early on Wednesday, with heavy rain and high winds also lashing Muscat and Iranian authorities evacuating southern coastal areas.
In Pakistan, rough seas have already damaged dozens of fishing boats in south-western Balochistan province, especially near a multi-million-dollar Chinese-funded deep sea port at Gwadar.
"Fishermen of Balochistan coastal areas especially Gwadar, Jiwani and its adjoining areas may not resume their activities for the next 24 hours," the Pakistan meteorological office said on its website.
"The sea conditions are likely to become very rough." Gwadar mayor Majid Sorabi said strong winds had damaged more than 100 fishing boats anchored at the Arabian Sea port and partially damaged a school building and a private house further inland. "We have sent teams of officials to other areas to find out if there is any other damage," Sorabi told AFP.