RESTORATION AT A FAST CLIP IN DHOFAR

Transport and communication facilities post-mekunu getting a makeover ahead of Khareef

The restoration and rehabilitation work in cyclone-affected areas in Dhofar is going on a war footing.

No one would have thought restoration of full connectivity between Dhalkout and Salalah would be complete within five to seven days despite the fact that two connecting bridges and long stretches of roads were washed away in the cyclone.

It was a Herculean task for the government machinery to restore road connectivity between Dhalkout and Salalah but the quick action made it possible to construct 4.5 km of temporary road in five days and there is a plan to construct a permanent road in another 25 days.

The road leading to Rakhyout and Dhalkout got damaged due to collapse of the main bridge near Mughsayl beach, which is famous for big mountain caves resembling a lion and big trunk of an elephant, and more importantly for natural blow holes, adjacent to the sea.

A two-lane temporary road has already been made from Qaishan to Wadi Afwal. On water and electricity front, maintenance of the affected machines is going on, while alternate supply is being carried through heavy duty power generators.

Water is being transported by tankers as there has been disruption in supply due to lack of electricity and major snag caused by adverse weather conditions.

Musallam al Shanfari, Wali of Dhalkout, expressed happiness over the restoration of road link between Dhalkout and Salalah and admitted that the speed of work was really faster keeping in mind the intensity of the cyclone and subsequent damages.