An unusual geological phenomenon following heavy rainfall during the rainy season has puzzled an Omani citizen in the Wilayat of Ibra, as a hot spring erupted on the ground floor of his home. According to the newspaper "Oman," the citizen Khalifa bin Jaruf Al-Nahdi, a resident of the "Sih Al-Shukhbeet" area in Ibra, was surprised to find a hot spring emerging from under the tile flooring in his living room after torrential rain resulted from the rainy season, which caused raging currents in the valleys of the region. Despite the fact that his house is not located at the edge of a valley or any large ravines and is situated in a semimountainous rocky area, Al-Nahdi was taken aback by the growing water flow over the days, even though in previous years rains had fallen and the surrounding valleys and ravines had run without any signs of this water.
After the heavy rains, he reported, "The house was built according to the specifications and maps approved by the municipality and other relevant authorities," noting that "there were no signs of water during excavation or any traces of old wells or falaj." He mentioned that specialists from the municipality had visited before construction began, and the foundation was dug to a depth of about one and a half meters. "It's strange that other houses around me have not shown any water, only in my house."
He continued, "The appearance of this water began after the recent heavy rains and raging valleys in the wilayat. We initially thought there was a leak from the rainfall or that water was entering from one of the nearby ravines. However, after those ravines dried up, the water level continued to increase, and it was hot, reaching one and a half meters."
He added, "We tried to use small pumps, but the water level did not decrease, so we then used a 5-horsepower, 3-inch pump, but the level did not decrease; instead, it flowed in large quantities and was very hot. I thought it was normal, but we began pumping water continuously, draining it into a nearby ravine day and night. Now we have entered the eighth day, and the water level has not decreased, which has raised significant fears of corrosion of the iron or a possible collapse of the house's foundation."
Al-Nahdi continued: "The Directorate General of Social Development in North Sharqiyah responded and has arranged for temporary housing for me and will cover the rental expenses until I move my family and everything in the house, so I can be reassured about my family's safety. This is what we have always known from our government, which stands by the citizen in times of adversity and hardship." He added, "There have been continued visits from officials of the North Sharqiyah Municipality and the Water Department of the Directorate General of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources to assess this problem. I am awaiting positive responses from these visits to help me in this ordeal and compensate me with alternative land and build a new home."
