Brrr! it is cold in here

MUSCAT, Dec 23 - Both citizens and residents woke up to a pleasant Sunday as showers accompanied by cold winds lashed some parts of the city.

Weathermen, however, indicate there are chances of scattered rain across the country that may bring the temperature down further. According to the Met Office, condensation of low clouds at night along the coastal areas of Muscat, South Al Batinah and South Al Sharqiyah brought in the rains, especially in Al Khoudh, Ruwi, Al Amerat and Al Khuwair. “Low clouds led to scattered light rain,” said the weather man. “There are chances of rain on Monday morning.” According to Public Authority of Civil Aviation, the weather station in Muscat recorded 3.8 mm of rainfall. Al Amerat received 5.8 mm of rainfall.

SURPRISE SHOWERS

“It was a surprise to see rains in the morning although we had to encounter a soggy morning drive to office,” said Faisal Ahmed, a bank employee in Ruwi. Many office-goers left their homes earlier than usual fearing traffic jams due to waterlogging. But road conditions did not pose any hardship except in some low-lying areas in the old city areas like Hamriya. Parents were relieved that schools were closed for mid-year holidays. “Children escaped getting drenched in the rain,” said Thomas Daniel, a parent in Ruwi. Meanwhile, the slight chill in the air made people rush for blankets, sweaters, jackets and other warm clothes in the city. People have started visiting shopping malls and retail stores to buy winter clothes. According to shopkeepers, the intermittent rains have triggered a rise in the sales of winter items.

SWEATER SALES UP

“Business has been brisk as customers are coming from different parts of the city and nearby areas to buy, especially blankets,” said Arif Khan, a salesman at a retail shop in Ruwi. There has already been a rise in the number of customers coming to buy sweaters, he added. Meanwhile, rainfall in Oman has fallen by 21.6 per cent in 2017 compared with 2016, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The NCSI said, “Rainfall in Oman decreased by 21.6 per cent in 2017 to an average of 74.7 mm compared with 95.3 mm in the previous year.” December 2017 saw the highest quantum of rainfall of 980.8 mm, while October 2017 recorded the lowest quantum of rainfall of 15.6 mm.

LAKSHMI KOTHANETH & SAMUEL KUTTY