Al Amerat’s flood-protection dam to open soon

The Wilayat of Al Amerat will soon welcome a landmark flood-protection dam designed to safeguard the surrounding areas while preserving rainwater. The inauguration, coinciding with the celebrations of the 5th Renewed Renaissance, will be held under the auspices of Dr Mohammed bin Said al Maamari, Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs (MoARA), on February 10, at the Al Jufaina area in the Wilayat of Al Amerat.

A source from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MoAFWR) highlighted that Oman currently boasts 191 dams across its wilayats, with a collective storage capacity of 357.7 million cubic metres as of mid-2024. These dams have cumulatively captured over 3 billion cubic metres of floodwater, underscoring their strategic role in sustainability and support for agriculture and the environment.

The upcoming Al Amerat dam is part of a broader initiative that includes several other flood-protection projects in Muscat Governorate, such as the Wadi Adai (G2) dam, Wadi Al Khoudh protection dam, Majlas Dam in the Wilayat of Qurayat, and Al Ansab 2, 3 dams in the Wilayat of Bausher. These projects aim to create an integrated strategy to preserve water resources and ensure ecological balance.

Oman’s dams fall into three main categories:

Groundwater recharge dams: Enhance underground aquifers by utilising wadi floodwater that would otherwise be lost to the sea or desert.

Surface storage dams: Provide sustainable water resources to support communities in remote and mountainous regions.

Flood protection dams: Safeguard areas from flood risks and prevent seawater intrusion into agricultural lands, which can lead to soil degradation.

The Al Amerat flood-protection dam will join these efforts to protect the region from natural hazards while contributing to water sustainability.

In addition, ongoing projects coordinated by the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs (MoAFWR) and Muscat Municipality include tenders for flood-protection initiatives in the Wilayat of Muttrah, such as constructing four dams and drainage channels.

These projects have a design phase of 12 months and an 18-month supervision period. With Oman’s commitment to water conservation and environmental stability, the flood-protection dam in the Wilayat of Al Amerat stands as a testament to the nation’s integrated strategy for sustainable development.