Salalah: Every year, for three months, this place disappears under sky-wide blankets of fog as the desert blooms green to celebrate a festival called Khareef — welcome to Salalah! 

Khareef is the Omani monsoon: a phenomenon that draws hundreds of thousands with cooler weather and stunning vistas for three months, beginning this year June 21.

Last year, the three-month festival attracted about 800,000 people who spend days in this only winter destination in the Middle East. 

For three months, dry wadis get filled with water, while tourists from all over the Gulf region make their annual visit to Salalah.

They enjoy the mild foggy weather while picnicking on dew-covered fresh grass, happy to escape the heat of their home countries.

Tropical fruits, coconut trees and green plantations are typical features of Salalah, which is situated on the coastal plains at the bottom of Jebel Qara which ascends to 1,500 metres.

The Khareef fog protects the city from dry desert. The famous frankincense trees get the perfect growing conditions in the wadis and valleys located towards the desert.

Meanwhile, the Dhofar Police Command — part of the Royal Oman Police (ROP) — is preparing to provide the highest levels of security foe the festival. 

Commander of the Governorate of Dhofar Police, Brigadier Mohsen bin Ahmad al Abri, said that Command is keen to provide support in order to provide the best service and ensure police presence at all tourist sites in the governorate and the roads leading to it. The police chief explained that the presence of police, civil defence and ambulance along the roads leading to the Dhofar governorate, as well as support from ROP aviation is set to serve people traveling by road and is ready to provide assistance, whenever required