Recent rains have not only filled many dams of Oman, but also the hearts of farmers.Dams play an important role in sustaining agriculture, providing potable water and avoid preventing flash floods. Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources proposed setting up 56 dams across Oman. It also called for rehabilitation of wadis and preparation of flood maps for Al Batinah North and South. Oman has 174 check dams for underground recharge, 3 dams for protection against floods, and 115 dams for surface storage.
Authorities in Oman began studying flood risks for the first time since the 1980s as economic development, population increase and urban growth made many urban settlements and infrastructure vulnerable to flood risks.
Cyclones such as Gonu (2007), Phet (2010), Mekunu (2018) and Shaheen 2021 led to plans to establish a protection system from flood risks by building dams for protection and rehabilitating channels of wadis.
It should be noted that there are 3 types of dams in the Sultanate of Oman: underground recharge dams, surface storage dams and protection dams. The government implemented plans to establish dams based on studies.
"These dams play a great role in agriculture. Dams also support biodiversity with the expansion of green areas that were dry and arid years ago. The growth of plants and trees helped animals, birds, insects and other living creatures," a specialist in biodiversity told the Observer.
Some of these dams including Wadi Dayqah Dam in Qurayat, which overflowed more than three times in the last one year, has become a picnic spot for families. These dam premises are an ideal meeting place for gathering friends and family members.
TEXT & PHOTOS BY YAHYA AL SALMANI
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