Dubai: High-rise buildings under construction in Dubai face no risk of being damaged by cyclone Gonu, and managers say that all construction sites are secure and able to cope with the severe weather.
Burj Dubai, the tallest structure in the Middle East and Europe that currently is more than 120 storeys and 422.5 metres high, is capable of withstanding any adverse weather.
"We are monitoring the path of the cyclone, and have good satellite images of where it is passing through so we will know in advance when it is heading our way," said Dr Andy Davids, Director of Structures, Burj Dubai Tower.
It is not uncommon for construction at Burj Dubai to halt for short periods of time, according to Davids. He said a monitoring device is installed atop the tower to gauge wind speeds.
Construction can be postponed for a few hours up to half a day, and a safety barrier is also placed on the site.
"When the wind speed reaches 40 knots, the cranes are locked away so that they cannot be in use. It happens fairly often because even on a normal day the wind is quite strong at the top, which is where most of the construction is taking place," he said.
Davids said companies are equipped with good warning systems so that they can keep a close watch on the weather.
Gopalakrishna, General Manager of ETA Star Property Developers, said it was too early to tell whether construction sites will close down because it depends on the intensity of the storm.
Chris O'Donnel, CEO of Nakheel, said an alert has been sent out to all sites to take precautions.
