This refers to the report “ Border Guard rescues 2 Emiratis from Empty Quarter” (June 30). Indeed, Rub Al-Khali or the Empty Quarter is one of the most desolate places on earth. Temperature there can rise as high as 61°C. In addition, there are several environmental hazards that a traveler should be aware of otherwise he may lose his way and may reach a point of no return. The Empty Quarter is an arid area and many people have lost their way, most of them not realizing that moving deep inside the area might be dangerous.
The emptiness of the desert terrain causes most people to underestimate distance by a factor of three: What appears to be 1 km away is really 3 km away. Apart from this, in Empty Quarter, the mirage effect makes it hard for one to estimate distances and see objects clearly. To make sure that one does not lose his way, it is advisable to travel through Empty Quarter only if one has knowledge of climatic changes of the desert and is trained to drive a vehicle in such a terrain and must have plenty of water. — Anees Lokhande, Alkhobar
The Empty Quarter
