More rains add charm to Salalah khareef season

SALALAH: The Governorate of Dhofar is witnessing an exceptionally enjoyable khareef season (monsoon) this time with continuous rains adding more charm and greenery to the plains and mountains and replenishing the splendid springs with abundant water.

Everyday, the Governorate of Dhofar is receiving thousands of tourists, who have chosen Salalah as their favourite destination at this time of the year, to enjoy the continuous day-and-night drizzle.

According to the Khareef Salalah Survey 2016 done by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the number of visitors to the Governorate of Dhofar during June 21- July 19 this year stood at 134,779 compared to 70,513 visitors during the same period last year.

Dr Khalid bin Ahmed al Najjar, Director of Meteorology Services Department in Salalah and Acting Head of the Office of the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) in the Governorate of Dhofar, said that the indicators point out that the rate of rainfall would be higher this year, and that mist associated with drizzle and sporadic rains affect Dhofar coasts and mountains.

“The rain level in Salalah station during June 21-July 18, 2016 stood at 48.8 mm compared to 4 mm during the same period in 2015,” he added.

“The rain recorded in Qairoon Hairiti stood at 32.6 mm in 2016 compared to 16.4 mm in 2015.