Muscat
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources celebrated today the inauguration of the Wadi Al-Jafnin Dam in the Wilayat of Seeb, under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Harib bin Thuwaini Al Said, Assistant Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers for Conferences.
In his speech, His Excellency Engineer Ali bin Mohammed Al Abri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources for Water Resources, highlighted the importance of establishing a comprehensive system for flood risk protection. He noted that the number of dams constructed to date has reached 200, distributed across all governorates of the Sultanate of Oman, varying between dams for groundwater recharge, surface storage, and flood protection. The construction of the Wadi Al-Jafnin Dam took three years.
On another note, Engineer Youssef bin Masoud Al Mandhari, Director of the Dams Department at the ministry, explained that the dam aims to protect commercial and residential areas in Al Khoud, Al Hayl, and Al Mawaleh in Muscat Governorate. It was implemented based on precise technical and hydrological studies, utilizing advanced technologies including plastic concrete, water control systems, and modern monitoring devices to track water levels.
He pointed out that the dam was designed according to the highest safety standards, standing 20 meters tall and stretching a total length of 6,400 meters. It features two concrete spillways and four water discharge gates, in addition to an advanced monitoring system to ensure the dam’s stability and safety. The storage capacity of the dam is approximately 11.5 million cubic meters of water.
He confirmed that the environmental impact studies for the project were conducted according to international standards, showing that the project provides significant benefits with limited impact on biodiversity, along with environmental measures to preserve natural wildlife corridors.
He added that the project’s cost amounted to 45 million and 615 thousand Omani Riyals, covering construction and infrastructure works. The project was executed within the specified timeframe, under the supervision of a specialized consultant to ensure quality standards.
At the end of the ceremony, the patron of the event unveiled the commemorative plaque for the project, followed by a tour of the project site for the attendees.
The event was attended by His Excellency Dr. Saud bin Hamoud Al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources, along with several dignitaries, members of the State Council, and officials.
