UAE | Weather
13-foot-high waves likely to hit UAE coast
Weather bureau warns people to stay away from coastal regions as strong winds are expected across the country
- By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 00:00 June 4, 2010
- Image Credit: ARSHAD ALI/Gulf News
- Cyclone Phet is expected to generate strong winds which could pose a threat to both motorists and pedestrians. Those travelling by car should take extra care.
Al Ain: The National Weather Bureau has repeated its warning to stay away from the sea and beaches as cyclone Phet has been generating high waves and gusty winds in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf.
In a weather alert issued at 3.30pm yesterday, the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) said strong winds, gushing at a speed of 35- knots-per-hour are expected across the country.
The conditions could also be partly-cloudy. Rain is also expected this afternoon, from the east to the south of the emirates. Strong winds could also cause dust and sand which could lead to poor visibility.
The cyclone yesterday generated 26-foot-high waves some 200 kilometres off the Omani coast, and some seven to 13-foot-high waves could reach the UAE coast.
An expert from the NCMS said the sea on both sides of the country, the Arabian Sea and the Arabian Gulf, would be rough to very rough and people must stay off it and out of the sea at the weekend.
The centre also warned motorists to be extra careful on the roads in coastal regions and general open areas. The cyclone has been generating high winds that have been blowing at a speed of 180 kilometres per hour. "It's a category 4 storm, but it has stalled and shown signs of weakening over the last 24 hours," added the official.
He said the system has been moving very slowly. It was expected to hit the Indian and Pakistani coastline yesterday, but now it should make its landfall on Sunday as it's moving at a speed of eight-kilometres-per-hour.
"It's expected to hit Oman first and then it will change its direction towards the Indian Subcontinent," said the meteorologist.
The NCMS also warned fishermen, small boats and other sea vessels to reach safe locations as soon as possible as high waves and strong winds may cause accidents.
Areas close to the sea could also be submerged by water when the waves hit the coast.
The Cyclone, the first of the current monsoon season in the Arabian Sea, has threatened lives and property in Oman where the government took emergency measures to evacuate people in the areas expected to be worst hit.
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