Khareef plays a big role in Dhofar’s groundwater recharge
Published: 05:07 PM,Jul 28,2024 | EDITED : 09:07 PM,Jul 28,2024
Khareef plays a big role in Dhofar’s groundwater recharge
The arrival of Khareef season not only attracts tourists and benefits local businesses but also excites scientists, agriculturists, and meteorologists who analyse the data for future planning. This season's prolonged monsoon is particularly beneficial, significantly recharging groundwater and impacting agricultural research.
Water resources experts Dr Khalid al Mushaikhi and Dr Mahaad Mahaad al Shammas have done extensive work on Dhofar’s water resources and suggest that the season hugely benefits Dhofar’s groundwater recharge.
In his work, Dr Khalid al Mushaikhi has highlighted the importance of Khareef in groundwater recharge. “Continuous drizzling creates conditions for horizontal precipitation in the Salalah coastal plain aquifer,” he explains.
During intense monsoon seasons, like this year’s, the chances of evaporation are less leading to better groundwater accumulation.
“Unlike heavy rain, continuous drizzling charges the groundwater more effectively, allowing accumulated water to seep directly into the earth,” he said.
Dr Mahaad Mahaad al Shammas’ study on the ‘Impact of Dhofar’s fogwater forests on groundwater recharge’ indicates that horizontal precipitation from fogwater interaction with trees is significantly higher than vertical precipitation during the monsoon. He suggests maintaining the forest cover and warns that the decline in these forests could negatively affect the aquifer’s sustainability.
Dr Akram Ali, also a water resources expert, underscores the significance of Khareef in Dhofar’s groundwater recharge.
“A minimum of 15,680,000 litres of water is recharged annually from the monsoon,” he noted.
Dr Akram explains that Salalah's arid climate transforms dramatically during Khareef, with the surrounding mountains playing a crucial role in precipitation control.
Salalah experiences about 30 rain days annually, with monsoon rains accounting for 70 per cent of the total rainfall on the Salalah Plain. Average annual rainfall on the plain is between 100 and 120 mm, while the mountainous areas receive between 230 and 450 mm.
The Khareef season is a boon for Salalah, significantly enhancing groundwater recharge and providing substantial benefits to agriculture, ensuring sustainability and prosperity for the region.
Water resources experts Dr Khalid al Mushaikhi and Dr Mahaad Mahaad al Shammas have done extensive work on Dhofar’s water resources and suggest that the season hugely benefits Dhofar’s groundwater recharge.
In his work, Dr Khalid al Mushaikhi has highlighted the importance of Khareef in groundwater recharge. “Continuous drizzling creates conditions for horizontal precipitation in the Salalah coastal plain aquifer,” he explains.
During intense monsoon seasons, like this year’s, the chances of evaporation are less leading to better groundwater accumulation.
“Unlike heavy rain, continuous drizzling charges the groundwater more effectively, allowing accumulated water to seep directly into the earth,” he said.
Dr Mahaad Mahaad al Shammas’ study on the ‘Impact of Dhofar’s fogwater forests on groundwater recharge’ indicates that horizontal precipitation from fogwater interaction with trees is significantly higher than vertical precipitation during the monsoon. He suggests maintaining the forest cover and warns that the decline in these forests could negatively affect the aquifer’s sustainability.
Dr Akram Ali, also a water resources expert, underscores the significance of Khareef in Dhofar’s groundwater recharge.
“A minimum of 15,680,000 litres of water is recharged annually from the monsoon,” he noted.
Dr Akram explains that Salalah's arid climate transforms dramatically during Khareef, with the surrounding mountains playing a crucial role in precipitation control.
Salalah experiences about 30 rain days annually, with monsoon rains accounting for 70 per cent of the total rainfall on the Salalah Plain. Average annual rainfall on the plain is between 100 and 120 mm, while the mountainous areas receive between 230 and 450 mm.
The Khareef season is a boon for Salalah, significantly enhancing groundwater recharge and providing substantial benefits to agriculture, ensuring sustainability and prosperity for the region.