As the critical high tide was approaching at 2.00pm this afternoon, there was an air of nonchalance in Fujairah concerning Cyclone Gonu. The novelty of having a record breaking tropical cyclone visiting the UAE had worn off and it was a case of business as usual.The stretch of road between the Fujairah medical Centre-Hikma Pharmacy and the Beach Motel that had been closed yesterday was open today. The police were obviously putting their trust in the high rocky wall.
The Fujairah Municipality, the Police, the Civil Defence staff and others involved in the Gonu operation, need to be congratulated for their work, especially for erecting the high wall that has protected many homes from flood damage. The work, however, is still not finished.
Earth movers were strengthening the barricades this afternoon probably for the last time with the news filtering through that the cyclone was departing and getting weaker.
Images: The wall alongside the main Fujairah road;
Earth movers reinforcing beach walls.
