Keep in mind lockdown timings while driving to Salalah
Published: 04:07 PM,Jul 28,2021 | EDITED : 08:07 PM,Jul 28,2021
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Timing is important this time while taking a road trip to Salalah to enjoy Khareef.
There are flights to Salalah but nothing like the 1,000 km drive in the mist and fog of the monsoon.
The Royal Oman Police has requested citizens and residents to plan their trip with care if the vacationers are choosing to drive across to Dhofar. This is keeping in mind the lockdown hours which is as of now from 5 pm to 4 am until July 31.
When you are travelling to Dhofar Governorate at the present time, you must measure the time period for the distance of the road from the starting point to your destination specified in the governorate in order to ensure that you do not violate the movement ban period.
“Drivers have to bear in mind the distance they have to cover safely in order to avoid the lockdown period,” advised Major Mohammed al Hashami, Royal Oman Police.
Now this means there are 13 hours to drive. Buses usually take about 10 hours typically to drive between Muscat and Salalah and vice versa.
Some of the driving enthusiasts feel there might be no time for meal breaks.
“It is advisable to have two drivers take turns to drive the vehicle,” said one regular driver who travels between Muscat and Salalah.
Ahmed al Mahrouqi, an adventurer and an expert on safety, said it is very simple. Start your journey immediately after 4 am and you have time till 4 pm to reach comfortably.
So what should be on our safety checklist while embarking on a 1,000 km journey?
“First of all we should check your car, tires, tire pressure and make sure the tires are good and can handle the long-distance journey, ” said Al Mahrouqi.
“Take ample quantities of water. Now you are ready to start your journey to Salalah. But remember you have 10 hours of drive and at present we have a lockdown at 5 pm. What we have to keep in mind is that from Adham to Thumrait it is desert so one will come across many sand dunes. There could be sand on the road. Here we have to be careful while driving. Do not cross 120 km while driving in this area and this is very important,” he said.
Invariably most people would be in the area by afternoon and then this is what one has to keep in mind - the temperature.
“It is very easy for the temperature in this region to touch 49 to 50 degrees Celsius. Do not try to drive at one stretch. Take a break by starting from Muscat to Adham, take a break and then the next break can be at Haima to let the car cool down. Get out of the car and spend about ten minutes walking around the car. This is for the blood circulation and to relax the muscles,” explained Ahmed.
So here is his tip on taking breaks - Muscat to Nizwa, Nizwa to Adam, Adam to Haima, from Haima to Maqshan, Maqshan to Qatbait and from there to Thamrait and to Salalah.
Once in Salalah one has to bear in mind to be careful and maintain distance between vehicles while driving through fog, mist or drizzle.
What drivers must remember is the daily traffic Salalah experiences that has been defined as heavy due to tourists in town trying to wrap up the day tips before the lockdown time at the stroke of five in the evening.
This also means it is important to arrange accommodation before starting the journey.
There are flights to Salalah but nothing like the 1,000 km drive in the mist and fog of the monsoon.
The Royal Oman Police has requested citizens and residents to plan their trip with care if the vacationers are choosing to drive across to Dhofar. This is keeping in mind the lockdown hours which is as of now from 5 pm to 4 am until July 31.
When you are travelling to Dhofar Governorate at the present time, you must measure the time period for the distance of the road from the starting point to your destination specified in the governorate in order to ensure that you do not violate the movement ban period.
“Drivers have to bear in mind the distance they have to cover safely in order to avoid the lockdown period,” advised Major Mohammed al Hashami, Royal Oman Police.
Now this means there are 13 hours to drive. Buses usually take about 10 hours typically to drive between Muscat and Salalah and vice versa.
Some of the driving enthusiasts feel there might be no time for meal breaks.
“It is advisable to have two drivers take turns to drive the vehicle,” said one regular driver who travels between Muscat and Salalah.
Ahmed al Mahrouqi, an adventurer and an expert on safety, said it is very simple. Start your journey immediately after 4 am and you have time till 4 pm to reach comfortably.
So what should be on our safety checklist while embarking on a 1,000 km journey?
“First of all we should check your car, tires, tire pressure and make sure the tires are good and can handle the long-distance journey, ” said Al Mahrouqi.
“Take ample quantities of water. Now you are ready to start your journey to Salalah. But remember you have 10 hours of drive and at present we have a lockdown at 5 pm. What we have to keep in mind is that from Adham to Thumrait it is desert so one will come across many sand dunes. There could be sand on the road. Here we have to be careful while driving. Do not cross 120 km while driving in this area and this is very important,” he said.
Invariably most people would be in the area by afternoon and then this is what one has to keep in mind - the temperature.
“It is very easy for the temperature in this region to touch 49 to 50 degrees Celsius. Do not try to drive at one stretch. Take a break by starting from Muscat to Adham, take a break and then the next break can be at Haima to let the car cool down. Get out of the car and spend about ten minutes walking around the car. This is for the blood circulation and to relax the muscles,” explained Ahmed.
So here is his tip on taking breaks - Muscat to Nizwa, Nizwa to Adam, Adam to Haima, from Haima to Maqshan, Maqshan to Qatbait and from there to Thamrait and to Salalah.
Once in Salalah one has to bear in mind to be careful and maintain distance between vehicles while driving through fog, mist or drizzle.
What drivers must remember is the daily traffic Salalah experiences that has been defined as heavy due to tourists in town trying to wrap up the day tips before the lockdown time at the stroke of five in the evening.
This also means it is important to arrange accommodation before starting the journey.