01 September 2014
Muscat: The Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources has introduced new policies and standards to assist other organisations in making flood protection decisions.
According to Dr Aisha Mufti Al Qurashi, an adviser at the ministry, the organisation is responsible for conducting studies, developing policies and introducing standards. It also provides advice regularly to the authorities concerned.
In her speech at the first annual drainage rehabilitation and flood control meeting here on Monday, she said that the Nationwide Flood Study Programme of flood-prone urbanised areas of Oman was carried out for the main towns.
The purpose of the programme was to provide data and information required for development planning in flood-prone areas and floodplain management.
She explained that factors contributing to flood severity in Oman include occasional cyclones, steep mountains, impermeable nature of the rocks covering some catchments and narrow wadi gorges.
The ministry's role covers hydrological analysis and flood management meant for developing guidelines and standards, producing maps showing flood risk zones, providing flood frequencies for wadi development locations and other purposes, Al Qurashi added.
Flood management policies
In her presentation, the official noted that flood control measures will be introduced in existing areas of development which are subject to flooding in order to minimise its effects and minimise restrictions on re-development.
Owners of properties which are situated in a floodway where flooding occurs at high frequency and who are at high risk, will be advised of its dangers so that they can take measures to protect their property.
In areas to be developed, the effects of flooding will be minimised by use of the approved standards, and further development should be forbidden in areas subject to flooding.
Flood area standards are applied to certain areas including floodway areas that are directly in the paths of wadis, active floodplain areas which flood when the flow in the floodway exceeds its capacity, and areas of passive inundation which are low-lying areas that fill up with water during heavy rain.
Muscat: The Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources has introduced new policies and standards to assist other organisations in making flood protection decisions.
According to Dr Aisha Mufti Al Qurashi, an adviser at the ministry, the organisation is responsible for conducting studies, developing policies and introducing standards. It also provides advice regularly to the authorities concerned.
In her speech at the first annual drainage rehabilitation and flood control meeting here on Monday, she said that the Nationwide Flood Study Programme of flood-prone urbanised areas of Oman was carried out for the main towns.
The purpose of the programme was to provide data and information required for development planning in flood-prone areas and floodplain management.
She explained that factors contributing to flood severity in Oman include occasional cyclones, steep mountains, impermeable nature of the rocks covering some catchments and narrow wadi gorges.
The ministry's role covers hydrological analysis and flood management meant for developing guidelines and standards, producing maps showing flood risk zones, providing flood frequencies for wadi development locations and other purposes, Al Qurashi added.
Flood management policies
In her presentation, the official noted that flood control measures will be introduced in existing areas of development which are subject to flooding in order to minimise its effects and minimise restrictions on re-development.
Owners of properties which are situated in a floodway where flooding occurs at high frequency and who are at high risk, will be advised of its dangers so that they can take measures to protect their property.
In areas to be developed, the effects of flooding will be minimised by use of the approved standards, and further development should be forbidden in areas subject to flooding.
Flood area standards are applied to certain areas including floodway areas that are directly in the paths of wadis, active floodplain areas which flood when the flow in the floodway exceeds its capacity, and areas of passive inundation which are low-lying areas that fill up with water during heavy rain.
© Times of Oman 2014
