MUSCAT: The comparison covers rainfall recorded from June 1 to September 20 through monitoring stations affiliated with the Civil Aviation Authority.

At Taqah, rainfall reached 71 mm in 2025, compared with 21.6 mm in 2026. At Salalah Airport, the total fell from 74.6 mm in 2025 to 23.2 mm in 2026.

Rainfall at Salalah Port also declined, from 111.4 mm in 2025 to 54.5 mm in 2026.

Mountain areas, however, recorded higher rainfall during the same period. Qairoon Hairiti recorded 119.2 mm in 2025, rising to 176.4 mm in 2026, while Rakhyut increased from 377.4 mm to 390 mm.

Oman Meteorology said the figures show a contrast between coastal and mountain areas, with coastal stations generally recording lower rainfall in 2026 than in 2025, while mountain stations recorded higher amounts.

The data comes as Dhofar moves into the Al Sarb season, which begins in September and continues until December each year.

The season is characterised by milder weather, the gradual clearing of fog and renewed growth of plants and trees. It is also considered a suitable period for planting and harvesting, as well as grazing livestock.

Satellite imagery using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) also showed differences in vegetation cover across Dhofar Governorate during September in 2025 and 2026.

The comparison indicated a decrease in vegetation cover in coastal areas in 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, while mountainous areas recorded higher vegetation density in 2026.

NDVI is an indicator used to assess the density and health of vegetation cover, with higher values generally representing denser and greener vegetation.