MAFWR completes key dam projects to mitigate flood risks

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) has announced the successful completion of construction work on two dam projects designed to safeguard Muscat governorate against flood risks.

The projects in the Jifnain area of Seeb and Al Jufinah area of Amerat have a combined storage capacity of 26.8mn m3.

Sharing details of the two facilities, Nasser bin Mohammed al Battashi, Director General of Water Resources Assessment at MAFWR, said, “The 15.7mn m3 capacity Al Jufinah Dam has been completed, with work currently progressing on an 8km distributary canal, varying in depth between 2m and 6m, designed to redirect excess water from the dam.”

The Jifnain Dam project features two spillways, concrete towers and a divider, alongside various openings for controlled water discharge. Both dams are equipped with advanced monitoring systems, including wells for groundwater level and leakage assessment, devices for lake water level measurement, and columns to monitor silt level.

“These installations ensure the dams serve as effective barriers against floodwaters, protecting commercial and residential areas en route to the sea,” Battashi said.

The dams underscore MAFWR'S commitment to water preservation and optimal utilisation across the sultanate. By establishing a comprehensive dam system in various governorates, the ministry aims to not only protect properties from overflowing wadis but also to transform these structures into tourist attractions, contributing to the nation's economic and environmental wellbeing.

The projects in Jifnain and Al Jufinah have a combined storage capacity of 26.8mn m3