Resorts warning guests about weather

Dubai: Guests staying at resorts along the East Coast have been issued with advisories, warning against the impact of the approaching Cyclone Gonu and advising on emergency measures.

"There is a tropical storm in the southern golf [sic] of Oman which will have an impact on the local weather of the costal [sic] regions of the Indian Ocean," read a letter given to guests at one of the resorts.

The advisory requested that guests take a number of emergency precautions, including filling bathtubs in case of a water shortage. Guests report that they were also provided with candles to be used in the event of a blackout.

"On Tuesday, hotel staff closed off the beach, along with all outdoor activities and closed the pool early at 5pm," said a Scottish guest, who arrived to one of the resorts on Tuesday afternoon.

"The staff were really honest with us and told us that the storm was coming and that these were emergency measures for our safety."

According to the guest, who did not wish to be named, there were "quite a few" guests at the hotel, including a number of families, many of whom appeared "more annoyed" than worried about the approaching storm.

Parts of the stretch of road leading from the resorts back to the Fujairah area were submerged in water yesterday, she added. However, cars were seen driving across the wet road, during brief periods when the water receded.

"When we were leaving yesterday, the waves were crashing directly against the cliffs in some areas and people were standing right at the edge of the sea - they could have easily been swept away," she recounted. "After some time, the police intervened to move them away from the area."

When Gulf News attempted to contact the resort in question, staff were unavailable for comment, as they were briefing hotel guests on updates on the storm.