Tidal waves caused by cyclone hit Bahraini villages

Jun 9, 2007, 1:27 GMT

Manama, Bahrain - Tidal waves caused by the Gonu cyclone that wrecked havoc in Oman earlier this week hit several fishing villages in southern and eastern Bahrain late Friday night.

Rising sea water forced fishing vessels onto the streets of Jaw and Asker in southern Bahrain and covered a large portion of the sea- front area of Maamer village in eastern Bahrain threatening homes.

A police point in Al Dur, south of the Gulf island, had to be evacuated as a precautionary measure after the rising tide took residents by surprise at around 10 pm.

Police and firefighters set-up check-points on roads leading into and out of Jaw and Asker to divert motorists after seawater reached the main road.

Civil defence units were dispatched to all affected areas to assist residents and motorists, Lieutenant Engineer Jamal Ahmed Kamal of the Civil Defence and Fire Service (CDFS) told Deutsche Presse- Agentur dpa.

There were no reports of injuries and damages could not be assessed immediately.

The country's meteorology office had earlier predicted calm weather and tidal waves of one to two feet and said that the rise in sea levels should not be a concern and was likely to continue until Sunday.

The statement did not link the tidal waves to Gonu cyclone and said that none of the neighbouring countries' meteorological offices reported unusual changes in weather over the Gulf.

Many roads were reopened four hours later as the water began to recede and clean-up crews began work to remove debris.

Cyclone Gonu that hit Oman on Wednesday before veering towards Iran, killed at least 49 people, left another 27 missing and caused the evacuation of thousands.