Muscat: The cold wave in Oman, which has brought temperatures down to sub-zero levels in the Hajar mountain range, is likely to continue for the coming weeks, an official at the Meteorology Department told Gulf News.
The official added Jabal Shams had recorded temperatures of minus 2 degrees Celsius on Friday. Ice sheets had formed from dew on plants, water taps and rocks, due to the drastic drop in the temperature. The official pointed out temperatures would continue to dip nationwide with the onset of winter and it would remain cold in the coming weeks.
Jabal Shams resident Ahmad Al Hatali told Gulf News that his family had to heat up frozen water taps in his house to get water on Saturday.
“It’s familiar for us residents of Jabal Shams and, really, we enjoy that”.
Al Hatali expects that in the coming month, Jabal Shams to be covered with snow as every year.
Similar conditions have been observed in Jabal Surat, of the Ibri province, which has witnessed a drastic dip in temperatures, recording minus 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Muscat has also witnessed minimum temperatures dipping to 20 degrees Celsius.
With the onset of winter, tourists flock to Jabal Shams, Jabal Al Akdhar, Jabal Misht and Jabal Surat to enjoy the scenice beauty and climbing mountains.
James Nell, a tourist, told Gulf News, he comes every year to climb Misht Mountain, of Ibri province, describing that as a real adventure for him. “I climbed many mountain worldwide, but really its such a very unique and deadly hobby adventure. I love it”, says James.
Many tourists have put up tents in Jabal Shams and Jabal Akdhar, to enjoy the freezing weather and the serene beauty of Jabal Shams. Other spots, like Muscat, Wahaiba sands, Wadi Bani Khalid, Khasab, Nizwa and Wadi Shab of Sur, are the other favourite destinations for foreign tourists. Oman has been allocated millions of Rials to build tourist projects to attract over 12 million tourists by 2020.
