View of part of the Fujairah Corniche and the Hajar Mountains in the Background

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Cyclone Gonu: A Peek Behind the Fujairah Fence

This morning at 8.00am Thursday 7 June 2007, there was a distinct feeling around Fujairah of ‘the morning after the night before’!

Things were extremely quiet. Most people living on the coast line were probably asleep, recuperating from the physical and mental strain of preparing for the attack of Gonu.

The road had been reopened for traffic in both directions along the coast.

At 8.00am the skies were gray, the temperature was into the thirties and the little rain that had fallen from 6.00am had ceased and evaporated.

The cyclone had been expected to have had its greatest impact in the early hours of this morning when the tide was high.

Eye witnesses said the winds were “as weak as a pot of English tea.” The waves had been kept back by the rock reinforcements. There was little damaged reported.

Cyclone Gonu versus Fujairah Round Two was clearly a win for the coastal city that was up against a severely weakened opponent.

Residents are talking as if the fight with Gonu is not yet over. Round three will be mid-afternoon today when there could be large waves combining with the high tide.

Geoff Pound

Image: The rocky wall that was constructed last night along the Fujairah road proved to be mightily effective. Beach car park and picnic area are in the background behind the wall.