Page 122 - A Hand book of Arabia Vol 1 (iii) Ch 6 -10

I’HYSICJAL CHARACTER 230

I’lic best are in the Muscat district, and include the bays of Muscat
and Mat rail, and the inlets of Bandar Jissah and Bandar Kheiran ;
hut the first two are imperfectly sheltered, and the mountainous
country behind the others cuts them off from communication with
the interior.

Climate
!
The summer climate of Oman is intensely hot, and Muscat has the
reputation of being one of the hottest towns in the world, but it can­
not be said to be unhealthy. During 1912 the highest temperature
recorded was 114° Fa hr. and the lowest 04° Fahr. ; in 1913 the
highest temperature was 110° Fahr. and the lowest G9°. The high
temperatures are due to the hot winds, which blow at certain times
in the summer months, and generally only for a few hours at
night, from the Arabian deserts and barren rocks round Muscat.
For the greater part of the summer, owing to the high state of
humidity in combination with a high temperature, the climate is
very trying. From November to the middle of March the weather
is distinctly pleasant, but fails to bo bracing, as the temperature
seldom falls below G0° Fahr.
As at Muscat, the climate of the sea-coast generally, owing to its
humidity, is relaxing and oppressive except in the coldest months.
The Batinah is much cooler in summer, especially at night, than
the rocky coastaf tract to the east of it in which Muscat lies ; the
months of May, June, and July are healthy there, but fever begins
with the date harvest. Many of the towns and districts at some
elevation on the coastal side of the Hajar watershed, while open
to the sea-breeze, are shut off by the range from the hot desert
winds, and enjoy a fresh and temperate climate. In the interior
the summer heat is oppressive, but in winter cold and wet weather
is sometimes encountered.
The ordinary rainfall in Oman varies between 3 and 6 inches,
but occasionally violent storms accompanied b}' floods devastate
the country ; on the 4th and oth of June, 1S90, during a cyclone,
it rained continuously for twenty-four hours, during which III in.
fell. The rainfall at Muscat averages 4 inches only, and it is~due
to this fact that the place may be considered a fairly healthy
tropical port, provided ordinary precautions are taken to purify
.
the drinking water by boiling or filtration, and to protect oneself
from mosquitoes, which are numerous in the town during the I
winter months and cause a considerable amount of malaria among
the natives. In 1912 and 1913 there were no cases of cholera or

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