Salalah: The relevant authorities in Dhofar Governorates are still conducting comprehensive field operations to mitigate the impact of recent oil pollution detected along the coast from Khor Salalah to the Hilton Hotel on Awqad Beach, as well as the western section of Raysut Beach.
Authorities have verified that no new leaks have been discovered at the impacted locations.
Specialised technical teams from the Directorate General of Environment in Dhofar Governorate are engaged in these attempts, working with Dhofar Municipality and other important organisations. They are collaborating with Salalah Port and expert environmental protection organizations to remove pollutants utilizing authorized equipment in accordance with the National Response Plan.
The response has also included field inspections of neighboring beaches to check that they are clean of pollution, as well as protective measures such as closing some access points to the damaged beaches in collaboration with Dhofar Municipality and the Royal Oman Police. These measures are intended to protect public safety and aid in cleanup efforts.
Eng. Zahran Ahmed Al Abdulsalam, the Dhofar Governorate's acting Director General of Environment, verified that quick response helped crews contain the pollution and prevent its spread. He stated that extensive cleanup efforts over the course of many days had restored the beaches' cleanliness.
He stated that the measures are not confined to eliminating visible trash, but also include preserving marine and coastal ecosystems due to their ecological and economic significance. To identify pollution hotspots and create a complete response plan, rigorous surveys have been undertaken to focus on the most afflicted regions using both human and mechanical methods.
Eng. Zahran complimented all participating organizations for their important roles, including the Dhofar Governor's Office, the Dhofar Municipality, the Royal Oman Police, military units, and the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority. He underlined that this coordination was critical in successfully dealing with environmental pollution.
Mamdouh Salim Al Marhoon, director of the Environmental Emergency Center, said that the National Oil Pollution Control Plan (Level II) was launched as soon as the situation was discovered. This, he said, accelerated the response, supplied required resources, and promoted effective coordination. He mentioned that talks were underway with relevant international and regional groups to determine the source of the contamination and take appropriate legal action.
Hatem Salim Al Mahri, Acting Director of the Nature Conservation Department, stated during his turn that efforts are ongoing to ensure that all remnants are eliminated. He stated that monitoring groups are continuing follow-up and assessment efforts to ensure total rehabilitation of the coastal ecosystem and to minimize future hazards.
