Saudi Arabia and the UAE have issued alert after Cyclone Shaheen hits Oman and Iran which killed twelve people and left hundreds of thousands homeless.

Oman's state news agency says the armed forces are rescuing people who have been trapped by the floodwater.

Flights to and from Muscat were suspended and residents in coastal areas were urged to evacuate.

Parts of the neighbouring United Arab Emirates are now on standby as the weather system moves west.

Saudi Arabia’s civil defence authorities have called for caution in several regions from today to Friday in expectation of high winds and possible flooding.