Friday 19 / April / 2024
Muscat: There is no need to be afraid of living near the dams in the country, a top official at the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources has stressed to the public. The assurance has come after a number of residents expressed concerns about overflowing water from Wadi Dhayqah Dam, voicing concerns that such water might endanger them and their properties.
With the Wadi Dhayqah Dam overflowing following the latest rains in the Sultanate, a number of residents living in areas close to dam have voiced their concerns about safety, fearing they could be facing dangerous consequences if the water levels were to rise higher.
Their concerns have recently become more aggravated, since more rains have been predicted by weather officials in the coming days. “The dam is full and there is a third low depression on the way,” said Ali Al Junaibi, a resident of Quraiyat.
“The overflowing dam water is a risk to us and our properties. While we completely trust the concerned authorities here, we need to be reassured this situation is not dangerous for us,” said Al Junaibi.
However, a top official at the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources (MRMWR) said there is no need for residents to panic.
Eng. Nasser bin Mohammed Al Battashi, Assistant Director General of Water Resources Assessment at MRMWR, said there are several ways to deal with such high-water situations.
“This water is precious to the Sultanate. It would be illogical to just waste it and open the dam, which has water all the time,” noted Al Battashi.
The official also explained that while the overflows are currently open, they are very small compared to the huge amount of water in the dam.
“The small size helps us control the water flow, while also holding back as much water as we can to benefit from it in different ways,” explained Al Battashi, while adding that since rain is not expected to be heavy in the coming days, resident should not be concerned.
“They should, in fact, enjoy the lovely scene of the water overflowing from the dam,” he said.
However, the Water Rescue teams at the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulances (PACDA) have rescued 31 people, including women and children, who were stranded in Wadi Dhayqah Dam, according to a reliable source at the PACDA.
The source added that the rescue operation took almost four hours. PACDA has called upon citizens, residents and visitors to follow safety guidelines and not risk their lives by crossing overflowing wadis. PACDA has also urged parents to look after their children while picnicking and avoid areas near the dams.
Nawaf Al Balushi, one of the family members, told Times of Oman that he and his 33 family members were stuck in the Wadi Dhayqah area last Friday.
“It was a bad experience. I lost my car, and another car belong to my cousin was terribly damaged,” said Nawaf.
He added that the family was sitting in an area between two sides of water while the dam was discharging water, increasing water on both sides.
“In time we thought it would become dangerous to sit there for a longer time. We tried to drive to the other side, when my vehicle and the other vehicle became caught in the water,” said Nawaf.
He added that the PACDA force reached the area in time and rescued his family. “I guess the mistake was in the place we chose. It’s really dangerous to be near dam areas, especially when the dam water is overflowing,” said Nawaf.
