An estimated 400,000 cubic metres of rainwater, equivalent to 88 million gallons, was collected in the Central Region's dams after heavy rains, known as Al Rawayeh rains, on July 27, the Ministry of Environment and Water revealed.

Eng Mariam Mohammad Saeed Hareb, acting assistant undersecretary for water resources and nature conservation at the ministry, said: "The valleys of Al Shawka, Al Qassaa and Al Kashish witnessed heavy rain, especially the basin of Al Shawka valley which led to water levels of the dam lake reaching 275,000 cubic metres. An estimated 1.5 million cubic metres of water flowed from the spillway of the dam for two and a half hours.”

Hareb added the amount of water that has been harvested in the barrier of Al Shawka dam amounted to 10,000 cubic metres, reaching 3 metres high, Al Kashish reached 105,000 cubic metres and 3 metres high, and Al Qassaa dam reached 10,000 cubic metres and 1 metre high.

Mariam also noted that the ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works, has completed the maintenance work and raised efficiency standards to calm the flow behind Al Shawka dam spillway, in line with the implementation of its operational plan for 2014-2016.

The ministry's consultants and dam experts inspect Al Shawka dam and facilities according to established requirements regarding technical standards for the management and control of dams, along with the best international practices of leading countries that feature am efficient dam system immune from flooding damage
Source: Gulf News