UAE's east coast in trouble

By Aftab H. Kola

Cyclone Gonu wreaks havoc in the United Arab Emirates after pounding Oman.

MUSCAT, Oman (eTN) - Cyclone Gonu, after severely pounding Oman, is now giving eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates chilling moments.

Weather officials warned today that gale force winds of up to 40 knots could lash the east coast of the UAE. Though the cyclone has been reduced to Category One, from Five, yet all precautions are being taken to counter the cyclone.

Hundreds of people living in Kalba and Fujairah, on the UAE's east coast were evacuated from their homes yesterday as Cyclone Gonu brought heavy winds and flooding.

Gonu, the strongest tropical storm to hit the Arabian Peninsula in 30 years, has meanwhile drifted away from Oman. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah could experience more windy conditions that could whip up dust and reduce visibility, with the maximum wind speed likely to be about 25 knots.

Despite the windy conditions, rainfall in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah is unlikely although it cannot be ruled out, forecasters said.

Fujairah International Airport was closed yesterday. Many flights from the UAE's other airports to the Indian subcontinent and other points east are being forced to take alternative routes in order to avoid the storm. Muscat's Seeb International Airport is closed until 11am tomorrow, affecting services from the UAE by Oman Air, Emirates and Etihad, among others.

Printable Version | published Jun 08, 2007

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