Thursday, Aug 21, 2008

Dubai: Dubai's beaches are being filled up with sand in an effort to rejuvenate and rebuild areas that have been washed away by strong waves, spurred by seasonal shamal winds.

Almost 600,000 cubic metres of sand has been delivered to three beaches along the Dubai coastline by the Coastal Management Section of Dubai MunicipalityDubai Municipality.

Work began during the last quarter of last year with the aim of improving the coastal environment.

Beach maintenance is necessary as the shamal winds deprive beaches of vital resources, said Hamdan Al Shair, director of the Environment Department.

"As time goes by, this will result in a loss of beach sand and the emergence of rocks and stones, thereby reducing the comfort and security of beachgoers. Nourishing the beaches in a scientific and well-planned manner will provide stability and continuity," said Al Shair.

The ocean is eating away at the coast at a rate of 50 metres every two years, according to data collected by the Coastal Management Section, Gulf News reported earlier.

Offshore developments are partly to blame for causing severe beach erosions in some parts of Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah, but thanks to the latest technology that predicts ocean currents, the Coastal Management Section have targeted specific areas to fill up with sand.

Restored

The department has already restored Jumeirah 3 Beach, Umm Suqeim 1 Beach and the Al Mamzar Park Beach.

Alya Abdul Rahim, head of the Coastal Management Section, said restoration works for Jumeira 3 began by rebuilding the 800-metre-long rock breakwater that lies parallel to the beach.

Water used to clog behind the breakwater during high tide and beachgoers often complained of dirty sand full of rocks and stones.

"This beach has been nourished with about half a million cubic metres of clean beach sand," she said.

In Umm Suqeim 1, a 120-metre sand barrier has been put in place to prevent sand erosion and preserve the beach, which has now been nourished with some 40,000 cubic metres of beach sand.

Construction of the sand barrier is 70 per cent finished, said Alya.

Bags made of fibre geotextiles from Australia filled with five tonnes of sand are being used to form the sand barrier.

"They are used instead of big-size rocks. This would do away with a sore sight and offer an appropriate place where some marine creatures can grow," said Alya.

Decree no. 22/2001 issued by the Ruler's Court demands the protection of coastal areas in the Emirate of Dubai.

By Emmanuelle Landais

© Gulf News 2008. All rights reserved.