Oman to build dam in Wadi Adai

Muscat: A new project will implement the construction of a dam in Wadi Adai, in order to prevent flooding and to conserve water for the Sultanate.
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His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has issued a Royal Decree, 32/2017, to construct the G2 dam "for the public good and to protect from flooding in Wadi Adai, Muscat governorate".
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The project is outlined in a memorandum, which decrees that the authorities in charge may expropriate land for the project.
"The competent authorities shall have the right to take direct action on the real estate and land required for the project and the facilities thereof, in accordance with the provisions of the expropriation law for the aforementioned public benefit," the Decree explained. The Decree also notes that flood risk was a motivation for initiating the construction of the dam.
"As part of the efforts of the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources to establish projects of public benefit, the Ministry is seeking to implement the project referred, because of its importance in providing the necessary protection to reduce the risks of floods and damage to public and private property," the memorandum said.
According to the decree, the project will achieve two objectives, including flood risk protection, as well as feed underground aquifers and reduce lost fresh water to the sea.
Since the implementation of this project requires the expropriation of property affected by it, compensation to landowners will be in accordance with the provisions of the expropriation law for the public benefit issued by Royal Decree No. 64/78.
Ahmed Al Barwani, a water resources expert at the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, had earlier told the Times of Oman that Wadi Adai is one of the most flood prone areas in Muscat.
He also added that cities, such as Muscat, Sohar and Rustaq and many others, have been identified as the top flood risk zones.
He explained that floods in Oman tend to be an intense short-term event, of high velocity, and last for four to six hours.
Flood warning systems and a Multi Hazard National Centre have been established in Oman, in order to mitigate the effects of flooding and other natural disasters in the Sultanate.
The project in Wadi Adai will span an area of 6,293,011.8 cubic metres overall. The main dam will occupy a space of 34,915.2 cubic metres.