MUSCAT -- The Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources is implementing projects worth RO 96 million for the construction of 13 dams, of which five are recharge dams and eight surface storage dams. The ministry also builds embankments, like Salalah Dyke, to protect residential areas from floods. Hamad bin Khamis al Hatmi, Director General of Water Resources Evaluation at the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, said that the ministry will continue to develop the use of water resources to guarantee regular supplies for future generations.
Al Hatmi pointed out that the surface storage dams include Wadi Dhayqa (wilayat of Qurayat), dams in Ghalil Adaina Village and Wadi Sidadb (wilayat of Ibri), Wadi Baija (wilayat of Yanqul), dams in villages and mountainous areas in the wilayat of Al Rostaq, the Hail al Kufoof in Al Jabal al Abyadh (wilayat of Dima W'attayeen), dams of Wadi Kharous and Wadi Sahna (wilayat of Mad'ha) and Wadi al Sarrain (wilayat of Al Amerat).
These dams will enhance the ground water supplies, while at the same time making water readily available to people within the boundaries of the projects, said al Hatmi. He explained that the Ministry has awarded feasibility studies to specialised companies for the construction of more recharge dams to help benefit from rain water that goes waste every year.
Feasibility studies are being conducted for the dams of Wadi Shafan (Wilayat of al Khabourah), Wadi Bani Ghafir (Al Rustaq), Al Ahbas al Ulya or Upper Ahbas (Samayil) and Wadi al Fulaij (Sur). Studies for the construction of dykes are also being conducted for the wadis of Al-ais, Al Jahawir, Al Sarmi, Liwa and Shinas.
© Oman Daily Observer 2009
