Muscat – Groundwater recharge and surface storage dams in North and South Sharqiyah governorates have recorded substantial inflows following unstable weather conditions linked to the Al Masarrat depression.

Thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall lashed parts of North Sharqiyah on Friday and Saturday, triggering strong wadi flows. In Ibra, wadis including Wadi Qafifa, Wadi Al Sabakh, Wadi Jadia, Wadi Al Jaroula and Wadi Al Kabir recorded significant runoff.

Heavy rainfall was also reported in South Batinah, including Rustaq, Al Awabi, Nakhal, Wadi Al Maawil, Barka and Musannah. In Muscat, wadis were in spate on Friday night, prompting authorities to warn residents to avoid affected areas.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, dam gates were opened after storage levels exceeded 75% in several facilities.

Dr Abdulaziz bin Ali Al Mashikhi, Director General of the Directorate of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in North Sharqiyah, said the governorate recorded heavy rainfall between March 20 and 27.

“The rainfall triggered widespread wadi flows across the governorate, contributing to the accumulation of large volumes of water in groundwater recharge and surface storage dams,” he said.

North Sharqiyah has 10 dams with a combined capacity exceeding 6mn m³. Key dams include Al Aqida, Wadi Nam and Al Rassa in Al Qabil; Wadi Qafifa in Ibra; Al Wariya in Al Mudhaibi; and Wadi Al Uyun in Sinaw.

Rainfall data for March 20–27 showed Ibra recorded 318mm, followed by Al Mudhaibi (225mm), Dima Wa Al Taiein (220mm) and Al Qabil (218mm). Totals reached 150mm in Bidiya, 145mm in Wadi Bani Khalid and 111mm in Sinaw.

In South Sharqiyah, the flood protection dam in Sur exceeded 13mn m³, reaching 60% of its capacity, prompting the opening of gates to recharge aquifers and manage inflows. The Wadi Sal dam in Jaalan Bani Bu Ali reached 100% capacity, with storage exceeding 715,000 m³. Spillway gates were opened to reduce pressure and receive additional flows. This marks the first overflow of the newly constructed dam.

Rainfall between March 20 and 28 reached 207mm in Sur, 172mm in Al Kamil and Al Wafi, 154mm in Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan and 135mm in Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, while Masirah recorded 28mm.