Reinforcing the Beach Barricades at Fujairah Tuesday 5 June 2007 Midnight

Even at Tuesday midnight many spectators were out keeping a watch on the waves at the Fujairah beach.

Until the tide began to recede water from the beach car park was going under the road through pipes and filling up the drains.

Some truck drivers were working into the early hours delivering rocks. One beach side resident had more than twenty-one truck loads delivered to the beach that butts against his property.

Geoff Pound

Images: One of the trucks and drivers doing emergency overtime work at midnight.

Cyclone Gonu and the UAE Civil Defence

This statement was posted anonymously as a comment on this site and while not being able to verify its source it appears to include an update with helpful instructions:

“UAE Civil Defence forces have been put on alert to deal with any possible damage that may be inflicted by the tropical cyclone Gonu in case it hits the UAE coasts.”

“Civil Defence forces in Fujairah have been put on full alert to ensure that humanitarian services are provided to local residents in case the cycle hits the UAE coast.”

“Civil Defence has in place a federal catastrophe management plan that spells out the role of all federal and local organisations in combating the effects of natural disasters.”

“The public should be informed against going on sea or wandering near coasts, mountains and valleys and to beware of electricity hazards and disconnect electric supply to outdoor electric lights and signage and to refrain from using cellular phones in open areas during thunder storms.”

“The state of emergency at hospitals of Fujairah and the eastern region has been raised 25 per cent to deal with any emergencies that may be caused by the tropical cyclone Gonu.”

“Coastal areas of Fujairah and the eastern region experienced an unusual surge in wave activities on Tuesday evening, pushing waves to as high as seven meters from two meters, and causing spillage of sea water onto lowlands.”

‘Cyclone Gonu Approaching the UAE’ Tuesday, 5 June 10.30pm (UAE Time)

‘Cyclone Gonu Approaching the UAE’ must be one of the most Googled phrases today, with widespread interest in the cyclone’s progress.

We live approximately 400 metres from the beach and we can hear the roar of the ocean as we step out our front door tonight.

It is a beautiful evening with a pleasant breeze. It has not started to rain although thunderstorms are expected.

The waves are crashing onto the beach. The tide is coming in and is now up to the first of the three rows of barricades in front of Mr Abdul’s beach house (see earlier photos). Two men are standing on these high barriers like sentries, hoping that their work done earlier in the day will withstand the onslaught of the approaching waves.

At the main beach, the water seems to be getting higher in the car park and big earth movers have their engines running ready to undertake whatever strategy the municipality has devised if water starts coming over the main highway. The ‘rubber-necks’ as they are called in Oz are stopping their cars along the side of the road to get a slice of the action.

Most people are hoping that the predictions from the weather office are true, that the cyclone will hit Muscat, Oman and head north with the eye of the storm bypassing the UAE.

Further along, in a slightly higher area there are scores of cars and swarms of spectators who have come out to see the sights. At the moment there is a carnival atmosphere, with people enjoying the novelty of the occasion. From time to time the waves surge up onto the land while the police command owners of parked cars to set them further away from the water.

N.B. This description of the carnival atmosphere needs to be read in conjunction with the UAE Civil Defence Statement which I will post on this site.

Geoff Pound

Image: Light reflecting on the submerged Fujairah beach car park.

Be on the Alert for Cyclone Gonu says Shaikh Mohammad

The highest precautionary measures must be taken for a tropical cyclone that is due to hit the Arabian Sea today, instructed His Highness Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice president and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai.

Shaikh Mohammad instructed all the relevant authorities in the country to be on alert and take all necessary measures to confront any emergencies resulting from tropical cyclone Gonu in case it reaches the eastern shores of the UAE.

He also asked the minister of interior, Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to head a working team consisting of the relevant department heads of civil defense, the ministry of health, as well as emergency and rescue teams, which would be required to follow up with the situation.

The minister of interior was also asked to set up field hospitals with the cooperation of the ministry of health, and provide all the necessary logistic support and cooperation to the government of Oman if it asks for assistance.

Source: ‘Shaikh Mohammad issues alert, Gulf News, 5 June 2007

Image: Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Protecting Beach Residences on Fujairah Beaches Against Cyclone

Here are some new walls of rocks and sand going up in front of another Fujairah beach residence.

Geoff Pound

Barricades Being Built on Fujairah Beach

Waves Rising on Fujairah Beaches

It is hard to capture the height of the waves but by 6.00pm on Tuesday 5 June the waves were forming a long way out, were significantly higher than at 3.00pm and were pushing strongly up the beach.

They will pack a punch at full tide and unfortunately, while surrounded by the high Hajar mountains, the Fujairah city is very flat.

Geoff Pound

Flooded Fujairah Beach Car Park & Picnic Area

This picture of the Fujairah Beach Car Park, Picnic and BBQ area was taken at 6.00pm on Tuesday 5 June 2007.

The surf is up in the background of the photo.

Geoff Pound

Articles on Cyclone Gonu Tuesday 7.00pm (UAE)

Here are some of the reports being posted in online UAE newspapers:

Cyclone reaches Omani coast

Oman Declares a Public Holiday
With Gomu threat looming large and the aftermath of the cyclone expected to cause havoc across the country, the Omani government declared holidays from today until Sunday. Most offices and some banks were already closed for business after the morning sessions as fears of heavy rains and the subsequent flooding were mounting.

Thunderstorms Expected Over the UAE
Tropical cyclone Gonu is expected to enter parts of the UAE on Wednesday, generating thunderstorms, heavy rain, and high winds almost all over the country.
Winds are expected to gust at 100 kilometre per hour (around 50 knots) when the cyclone enters the UAE, said a senior meteorologist at the UAE Met Department.

Fujairah Hit By Cyclone Gonu
This report seems to report that the cyclone has already hit with rain falling (it hasn’t started yet!)

Official: Cyclone Won’t Affect UAE
Tropical Cyclone Gonu will not affect the UAE and people need not to panic, a top UAE official said.

Geoff Pound

Image: Storm photos from Oman, Tuesday afternoon.

Fujairah Residents Responding to Cyclone Gonu

A Gulf News article posted online at midday (5 June 2007) reports the following:

* Hoards of onlookers visiting the beach to watch the rising waters.
* Waves getting stronger and higher
* The closing of the Corniche Road between Fujairah and Kalba (south of Fujairah) after it was submerged by sea waters
* The flooding of the Diving Centre and a hotel car park in Khor Fakkan (north of Fujairah)
* Expectations that conditions are only going to get worse.

For more information and pictures check out:

‘Fujairah Hit by Cyclone Gonu’, Gulf News, 5 June 2007.

Image: People taking to the streets to experience the rising waters.