Dubai: In the wake of increased beach activity during the Eid Al Fitr holidays, Dubai Municipality has urged residents to comply with beach safety regulations.
Alia Abdul Rahim Al Harmoudi, director of the Environment Department, appealed to the public to follow instructions on signboards, and listen to lifeguards posted at all public beaches in Dubai.
In a press release, she advised beach visitors to swim only during the day when the lifeguards are present, except at Umm Suqeim 1 beach, which allows swimming till midnight.
On the preparation made by the municipality, Al Harmoudi said: “The department recently completed a mock rescue operation for drowning cases and made sure that marine rescue equipment is ready and maintained. More than 100 lifeguards will be available at public beaches. Beach patrols will be available to provide support to lifeguards and visitors.”
Ebrahim Juma, head of Coastal Zone and Waterways Management section, said that the Dubai Maritime Smart Seafront Forecasting System has predicted that waves may sometimes rise to a metre in height.
“The status of the sea can be ascertained by logging on to www.dubaicoast.dm.gov.ae for wind speed, wave conditions, high water level, temperature and salinity. The system will update its forecast on the Dubai coast website 12 hours for three days,” he said.
Al Juma added that the municipality has provided an integrated coastal rescue and safety system.
Apart from rescue platforms, lifeguards, marine equipment, the system also includes first-aid kits including cardiac recovery equipment, oxygen cylinders and medical equipment for initial rescue operations.
“Wireless communication equipment is also available to rescue personnel for quick response to emergencies and easy communication between all crew members. The municipality has provided 125 beach poles on all public beaches to warn the state of the sea and inform whether it is possible to swim or not through the warning media system,” he said.
Beach safety in numbers
30 rescue platforms
100 lifeguards with marine rescue equipment
5 sea bikes and 10 beach bikes
Know the flag
Red: Swimming can be dangerous.
Yellow: Swim with caution.
Purple: Presence of harmful marine life in the water.
