Hi firstly thanks for the replies to my previous post on Oman flights etc.

Now could anyone enlighten me on the Floods ! I was surprised to see this and bit concerned as we intend to travel in the month of March. We will be staying in Muscat and Salalah and touring those areas, was this unusual weather or is it likely at this time of year.

Thanks again
jilly

Salalah gets the tail end of the monsoon distribution over the summer known as the Khareef. The cool-ish weather and rain make it a holiday destination during those days for many Gulf residents keen to experience mini-Manchester in the tropics. Wadis and other drainage systems aren't great at coping with heavy rain, so if that happens, there is short-term flooding which can be intense (Salalah is on a plain situated at the foot of a montain range). There is also the risk of cyclones, though these are rare events. A guard damn is being constructed to protect Salalah - it may well have been completed.

It can rain in Oman (not just Dhofar) at other times of the year, with thunderstorms over the mountains causing flash-floods in wadis (dried-up river beds). But it's not common, and little or no danger if you are sensible.

A cyclone hit Muscat in 2007, causing an enormous amount of damage through flooding and wind. That was a freak event, not one you could plan for.

Thanks for your reply, we are now booked for end of March 2010 so will just have to hope we don't get any more freak weather.

Regards
Jilly

I'm sure you'll have a brilliant time. From Muscat, you should make sure you get to Niswa for a day or so touring in the mountains.

+1

Muscat itself is easily seen in one day. Just back from there, nice cool weather for locals, nice hot summer for me (30-32 C)