Oman Unveils Two Major Dams Worth RO 47 Million to Protect Salalah from Floods

Muscat: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in Oman is set to inaugurate two significant flood protection dams in Salalah, Dhofar Governorate, aiming to bolster the region’s resilience against climate-induced flooding.
The Wadi An’ar Dam, with a storage capacity of 16 million cubic meters and constructed at a cost of approximately RO 23 million, will be officially opened on Sunday. This dam is a critical component of Salalah’s flood mitigation system, designed to manage heavy rainfall and reduce the risk of flooding in surrounding areas.

On Monday, attention will turn to the Wadi Adunub Dam, the largest in Salalah’s protection network and the second-largest in Oman. With an impressive storage capacity of 83 million cubic meters and a total cost of RO 24 million, this project is expected to play a major role in controlling floodwaters originating from mountainous regions.

These projects are part of a broader effort to tackle the increasing climate-related challenges facing the Sultanate. By capturing and managing floodwaters, the dams aim to safeguard vital infrastructure such as the Port of Salalah, Raysut Industrial City, and the Salalah Free Zone. Additionally, the initiative is expected to reduce sediment accumulation in the port and support sustainable development in the region.

The construction of these dams was undertaken by AZ Engineers & Partners LLC, a prominent Omani civil engineering firm. The Wadi Adunub Dam, in particular, features a 386-meter-long structure and a 70-meter-high intake tower, making it one of the tallest concrete structures in Oman. The project also includes a control room, spillway, and a diversion culvert, with plans to develop the reservoir area into a public recreational space.