Muscat – Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) inaugurated the Al Jufainah Flood Protection Dam in Amerat, on Wednesday.

The RO38mn project is a key addition to the nation’s flood mitigation infrastructure, boasting storage capacity of approximately 15.7mn m3.

Standing 30m in height and 2,287m in length, the dam is designed to enhance flood protection for Amerat and surrounding areas, including Wattayah and Qurm.

The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of H E Dr Mohammed bin Saeed bin Khalfan al Maamari, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs.

According to H E Ali bin Mohammed al Abri, Undersecretary for Water Resources in MAFWR, the dam is a crucial component of a broader flood management system comprising seven dams within the Wadi Adai watershed. The dams aims to safeguard residential and commercial areas from potential flood risks.

The Al Jufainah dam project, which took three years to complete, was preceded by extensive engineering and hydrological studies, involving international expertise. Notably, small and medium enterprises played a significant role, contributing 29% to the project’s execution. Additionally, 46 Omani citizens were employed during the construction phase, achieving an Omanisation rate of 43%.

With this latest addition, Oman now has a total of 200 dams, including 76 groundwater recharge dams, 117 surface storage dams and seven flood protection dams. These structures are integral to the country’s long-term water management strategy, helping to enhance water availability, mitigate flood hazards and support sustainable development.

H E Abri reiterated the importance of water resource management as a pillar of Oman’s sustainability goals, stating that flood protection infrastructure plays a vital role in safeguarding communities and ensuring resilience against extreme weather events.