Muscat: As many as 760,000 tourists visited Salalah since the beginning of Khareef till September 10th, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The tourist arrivals to the area witnessed a decrease of 7 per cent compared with the same period last year as it stood at 817,928 visitors.
According to the centre, Omanis accounted for 70.8 per cent of the visitors (the majority), while UAE nationals accounted for 7.7 per cent and, then, other GCC nationals 9.2 per cent.
While many of the visitors might choose to fly to Dhofar to enjoy the monsoon experience, there are many who choose to drive to Salalah.
According to the Oman Met Office, there are possibilities for clouds of varying heights to flow over the Al Wusta and Dhofar governorates, and bringing in sporadic rain in parts of Dhofar Governorate.
The activity of the south winds ranging between 15-25 knots could cause dust rising between the road connecting Haima and Thumrait.
The road through Ibri, in the Dhahira Governorate is significant for tourists from Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates who like to travel by road. Some tourists like to halt at hotels while there are others who like to camp. Whether traveling on four wheelers, sedans or bikes one factor road users must keep in mind is the wind and transitions in temperature.
According to Oman Met Office, Ibri is currently experiencing a high of 47 degrees Celsius and a low of 34 degrees. The south wind is ranging between 10-15 knots.
Hamra Al Droo, next place on the route is ranging between 47 to 33 degrees Celsius and the wind speed at times can be just five and then go up to 20 knots.
With a maximum temperature of 46 degrees Celsius and minimum 31 degrees Celsius, Adam sees the wind speed go between 15 to 35 knots. Haima has temperature ranging between 47 and 25 degrees Celsius with wind speed ranging between 15 to 35 knots.
After this point with Dhofar governorate currently undergoing monsoon climatic conditions, sees a transformation in weather.
Thumrait is on the cooler range at present with a high of 34 and a low of 23 degrees Celsius, but the wind continues its impact with a speed of 15 to 30 knots.
Meanwhile Qairoon Hariti is an even cooler place because by now one would have reached on top of the slope and can began to see the impact of the monsoon. With a high of 23 degrees Celsius and a low of 21 degrees Celsius, one should consider dressing for the weather. The wind here ranges between 10 to 20 knots.
While the dust rising winds can be tricky as it has an effect on the horizontal visibility, the wet roads and fog covered terrain require vehicles to maintain distance especially while driving on the mountains.
Upon reaching the destination Salalah, the temperature is pleasant with a high of 26 degrees Celsius and a low of 25 degrees Celsius. The wind speed is 5 to 15 knots.
And then it is time to take a break and get set to enjoy the sites, scenes and heritage of Dhofar.
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