KHAREEF SEASON IN SALALAH BECKONS

STORY SWATI DASGUPTA

With the Khareef season transforming Salalah into a green paradise, as the monsoon clouds gather in the sky and mountains, valleys, and plateaus get soaked up in the rains, Dhofar is wrapped in a verdant wonder blanket.

The rain and mist have aesthetically beautified the desert terrain into a lush landscape, making it a coveted attraction for tourists to visit Salalah during this time of the year. Since Khareef has just started people in Oman are excited to visit the Sultanate’s natural marvel and are busy making plans.

Irene C. Taguinod, who visited Salalah last year during the Khareef season with her friends, remembered her wonderful trip and said, “It was really an awesome experience because the him of his native place Kerala. He said, “For me, Salalah feels the same as my native place Kerala. I have been here in Salalah for the last four years and am enjoying the life, especially the Khareef season.” He also raised concerns about road safety during this time of the year.

“It is a very common practice here when people drive their vehicles without proper cleaning. Most of the vehicles cannot be identified by the number plate due to mud. It should be avoided,” he said.

After being in Oman for seven years, Mln Ardales finally got to see Salalah last year. “Last year, I got the chance to visit Salalah. It was a wonderful experience. I travelled alone by bus for almost 14 hours and it was worth it. Salalah is a wonderful getaway to escape the Muscat heat. The fact that everything there is cheaply priced, from taxi to food to hotel stays, I recommend all my friends to visit Salalah,” she added.

Nazir Basra, who has been living in Salalah from the last two decades, has seen the development and growth of the place. “It’s a more beautiful and developed city now, compared with the past, and is really a worth seeing place in Oman,” he said.

Apart from the panoramic view that makes Salalah the most sought after place during Khareef, it is the weather that tends to attract people. The dip in the temperature owing to the mist and rains makes it an ideal destination for summer getaway. Sharing the same view, Farhah Ayoob Khan said the Khareef season is a relief for everyone who wants to get away from the scorching heat.