Temperatures will soar in Oman this week, pushed up by westerly winds from the deserts of Saudi Arabia, according to the National Multi Hazard Early Warning Centre.

Speaking to Times of Oman, an official of the National Multi Hazard Early Warning Centre said that the temperature is likely to reach 49 degrees Celsius in some parts of Oman. 

“In places like Dibba and Musandam, we think the temperature will touch 49 degrees Celsius, as hot winds blow over Oman,” the official said.

Dibba recorded a temperature of 47 degrees on Sunday. “As there are no chances of rain this week, the temperatures will continue going up,” the official said.

He also said that temperatures in places such as Sur, Ibri, and Haima had already crossed 45 degree Celsius on Sunday. “It will become very hot in the desert areas because of these winds,” he said.

Muscat recorded a temperature of 41.2 degrees on Sunday. “We expect the temperatures to go up in Muscat,” he added.

In Oman, summer normally starts in mid-April and continues until October. Since the hottest months are between June and August, the Ministry of Manpower issues directive to all companies, especially construction firms in the country, to stop work at all sites between 12.30pm and 3.30pm during these months. “People should avoid going out in between 12 pm and 3 pm when the temperatures are climbing up,” a doctor at a city hospital said.

He also said that infections and fever are common with the rise in temperature. “The most ideal word during this time is precaution,” he warned on Sunday.

There will, however, be some brief spells of cooler north-westerly winds that will help to reduce the dry and hot spells by a few degrees. “This will help in reducing the temperatures at the end of this week,” the official of National Multi Hazard Early Warning Centre said.

For the next 24 hours, the National Multi Hazard Early Warning Centre predicts “Clear to partly cloudy skies along coastal areas of Dhofar governorate and adjoining mountains, with chances of isolated rain. Mainly clear skies over the rest of the Sultanate, with chances of dust and rising winds over deserts and in open areas of South Al –Sharqiya, Al-Wusta and Dhofar governorates.”

Source: Timesofoman