7-metre-high waves strike Fujairah shores

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7-metre-high waves strike Fujairah shores

Municipality prohibits beach-goers from getting close to the sea to avoid risks of sea turbulence and high tides.

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Published: Mon 16 Jun 2014, 12:48 AM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 10:48 PM

For the second consecutive day, waves as high as seven metres hit the eastern shores of Fujairah, affecting areas like Al Faseel and Gadfa, with seawater seeping on to the areas sporting sun shades.

The situation has prompted the Fujairah Municipality to shut down Al Faseel area’s sun shaded areas. The civic body has also prohibited beach-goers from getting close to the sea to avoid risks of sea turbulence and high tides.

In Kalba, seawater flooded parts of the city’s corniche, causing traffic chaos. The civic body shut down the Corniche Street to drain the accumulated water and prevent it from reaching the commercial shops nearby.

“Conditions are normal. A little seawater seeped on to the land in some areas in Fujairah close to the coasts due to the rise of waves,” said Mohammed Saif Al Afkham, Director of the Fujairah Municipality. “Al Faseel’s sun shaded area is situated in a low-lying area, where water flows in easily. The Fujairah Municipality is prepared to cope with any eventualities.”

According to Ahmed Juma Al Hawara, Director-General of Kalba Municipality, tankers have drained the water which accumulated on Corniche Street.

Tropical storm Nanauk, now degraded to a tropical depression, is expected to hit Oman on Sunday. Many tour operators in the UAE cancelled weekend trips to tourist hotspots like Mussandam.

Al Hawara said the sections concerned at the Kalba Municipality are on “full alert” and are in touch with the municipalities in Khor Fakkan, Al Bataaeh and Al Dhaid as well as police and civil defense departments.

Bulldozers and earth moving machines have erected barriers to protect the residents of traditional houses overlooking the coast along the Khor Kalba beach.

The residents of Kalba are pinning their hopes on a water breaker which the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, had ordered be constructed in the coastal city to protect it from storms.

salah@khaleejtimes.com


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