Latest news with #NationalOilPollutionControlPlan
Muscat Daily
29-07-2025
- Muscat Daily
Dhofar oil spill contained, cleanup underway
Salalah – Authorities in Dhofar are continuing intensive cleanup operations following an oil spill incident affecting parts of the coastline from Khor Salalah to the Hilton Hotel on Awqad Beach and the western section of Raysut Beach. Officials have confirmed that no new leaks have been detected in the impacted areas. Technical teams from the Directorate General of Environment in Dhofar, in coordination with Dhofar Municipality and other relevant agencies, are carrying out the response as per the National Response Plan. The effort includes cooperation with Port of Salalah and specialised environmental protection firms. As part of the response, inspections were conducted on nearby beaches to confirm these remain free of contamination. For public safety, access to some sections of the affected beaches was temporarily restricted, with support from Royal Oman Police. Zahran bin Ahmed al Abdelsalam, Acting Director General of Environment Directorate in Dhofar, said the rapid response helped contain the spill and limit its spread. Cleanup efforts have been ongoing for several days, restoring beach areas to their original state. He said teams are not only removing visible oil traces but also taking steps to protect marine and coastal ecosystems, highlighting the ecological and economic significance of the area. Targeted surveys identified pollution hotspots, allowing for a focused response using manual and mechanical methods. Abdelsalam commended the coordinated efforts of all involved, including Dhofar Governor's Office, Royal Oman Police, military units and Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority, noting that joint action was critical to the effectiveness of the response. Mamdouh bin Salem al Marhoon, Director of Environmental Emergency Centre, stated that the National Oil Pollution Control Plan (Level II) was activated immediately after the incident was identified on Sunday. This facilitated rapid mobilisation of resources and streamlined coordination among stakeholders. He added that discussions are underway with regional and international bodies to determine the source of the spill and pursue legal action if necessary. Hatem bin Salem al Mahri, Acting Director of Nature Conservation Department, said field operations continue to eliminate residual pollution. Monitoring teams are assessing affected areas to ensure full recovery of the coastal environment and reduce risk of recurrence.
Times of Oman
29-07-2025
- Times of Oman
Intensive efforts exerted, no new leaks detected in oil pollution on Salalah coasts
Salalah: The competent authorities in Dhofar Governorate continue to carry out intensive field operations to address the effects of recent oil pollution observed along the coast from Khor Salalah to the Hilton Hotel on Awqad Beach, as well as the western area of Raysut Beach. Authorities have confirmed no new leaks have been detected in the affected sites. Specialised technical teams from the Directorate General of Environment in Dhofar Governorate are participating in these efforts, coordinating with Dhofar Municipality and other relevant entities. They are working to remove pollutants using approved machinery under the National Response Plan, in collaboration with Salalah Port and specialized environmental protection companies. The response has also included field inspections of nearby beaches to ensure they remain free of pollution, along with precautionary measures such as closing some access points to the affected beaches in cooperation with Dhofar Municipality and the Royal Oman Police. These steps aim to ensure public safety and facilitate cleanup operations. Eng. Zahran Ahmed Al Abdulsalam, Acting Director General of Environment in Dhofar Governorate, confirmed that the prompt response enabled teams to contain the pollution and limit its spread. He explained that intensive cleanup efforts over several days have helped restore the beaches' cleanliness. He added that the efforts are not limited to removing visible pollution but also include protecting marine and coastal ecosystems due to their environmental and economic importance. Precise surveys have been conducted to identify pollution hotspots and develop a comprehensive response plan, focusing on the most affected areas using both manual and mechanical methods. Eng. Zahran commended the effective role of all participating entities, including the Dhofar Governor's Office, Dhofar Municipality, the Royal Oman Police, military sectors, and the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority. He emphasised that this coordination has been instrumental in successfully addressing the environmental pollution. For his part, Mamdouh Salim Al Marhoon, Director of the Environmental Emergency Center, explained that the National Oil Pollution Control Plan (Level II) was activated immediately after the incident was detected. This, he affirmed, accelerated the response, mobilized necessary resources, and ensured efficient coordination. He noted that communication is ongoing with relevant international and regional organizations to identify the pollution source and take necessary legal action. On his turn, Hatem Salim Al Mahri, Acting Director of the Nature Conservation Department, affirmed that field operations are ongoing to ensure the removal of any remaining traces. He added that monitoring teams continue follow-up and evaluation efforts to ensure full restoration of the coastal environment and prevent future risks.
Muscat Daily
29-07-2025
- General
- Muscat Daily
Dhofar authorities respond swiftly to Salalah oil spill
Salalah – Authorities in Dhofar Governorate continue intensive efforts to address the oil pollution recently detected along sections of the coastline from Khor Salalah to Awqad Beach near Hilton Hotel, and parts of Raysut Beach. Officials confirmed that no new leaks have been recorded, and the affected areas are under active monitoring and cleanup. Specialized teams from the General Directorate of Environment, in coordination with Dhofar Municipality, the Royal Oman Police, and other agencies, are leading operations under the National Oil Pollution Response Plan. Cleanup efforts include manual and mechanical removal of pollutants, supported by environmental specialists and companies. Precautionary measures, such as beach access closures, were implemented to ensure public safety and to facilitate smooth field operations. Eng. Zahran bin Ahmed Al-Abdelsalam, Acting Director General of the Environment Directorate in Dhofar, confirmed that the prompt intervention helped contain the pollution and limit environmental damage. He stressed that beyond surface-level cleaning, efforts are focused on protecting marine ecosystems, conducting detailed surveys, and using targeted cleanup technologies for long-term impact mitigation. Mamdouh bin Salem Al Marhoon, Director of the Environmental Emergency Center, stated that the National Oil Pollution Control Plan (Level II) was activated immediately, enabling rapid mobilization and inter-agency coordination. Investigations are ongoing, with cooperation from international and regional organizations, to trace the source of the spill and initiate legal measures.
