SALALAH, July 30 - The intensity of rains may not be very high this monsoon season in the Salalah city, but overcast sky and drizzling off and on has reduced water evaporation resulting in recharge of suburban wadis (canals).
Moreover, the mountain villages of Qairun Hariti, Zeik, Hagif, Gadau, Titam, Al San, Madinat al Haq and Tiwi Ateer are getting more rains than the city, the impact of which can easily be felt in Salalah.
These canals constitute major source of irrigation as they help in getting the groundwater recharged. The farms located in the areas where there is access to groundwater, the farmers dig wells with the permission of the competent authorities and meet their irrigation requirements.
Known for springs in the mountains, the number of seasonal and regular springs in the Governorate of Dhofar stands at 360. Most of these springs have signs of being recharged and any other spell of rains would certainly going to have an overflow effect giving an spectacular view to the visitors.
The springs attract a large number of visitors from Oman and neighbouring GCC countries. The springs that attract maximum tourist attention are those of Jarziz, Sahalnout, Razat, Hamran, Tubraq, Athoum and Darbat.
There has been effort by the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, Dhofar Municipality and Ministry of Tourism to develop spring sites, maintain their utility and add more interesting activities for the tourists.
Dhofar includes a distinctive natural diversity where the coast blends with the mountains and the desert in wonderful harmony so that the mountains look like a fertile crescent, rising to a height of 1,500 metres and then descending into a flat plain that embraces sandy beaches stretching for hundreds of kilometres. One can imagine the magnificence of this province with 20-26 degrees Celsius temperature when most part of the Arabian Peninsula witnesses a rise in temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius in summer.
Tropical fruits, coconut-trees and green plantations are typical features of Salalah, which is situated in the coastal plain at the bottom of Jebel Qara. The khareef fog protects the city against the dry desert and the famous frankincense trees have perfect growing conditions in the wadis and valleys which are located towards the desert.
The Ministry of Tourism and Dhofar Municipality promote the khareef season to attract more and more tourists from the neighbouring GCC countries as also from other parts of the world.
— Picture by Abdulrahim Subait
Kaushalendra Singh
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
