Saturday 28 / March / 2026
Sur: Groundwater recharge and surface storage dams in the Wilayats of Sur and Jaalan Bani Bu Ali recorded significant inflows of water following the weather conditions associated with Depression Al-Masarat, which brought widespread rainfall across the Sultanate of Oman.
The flood protection dam in Sur exceeded a storage capacity of 13 million cubic metres, reaching around 60% of its total capacity. As a result, the dam was opened to manage excess water, allowing it to be utilized for groundwater recharge while accommodating additional inflows.
Meanwhile, the Wadi Sal dam in Jaalan Bani Bu Ali reached full capacity at over 715,000 cubic metres, marking its first overflow since construction. The spillway gates were opened to relieve pressure on the structure and safely manage the increased water levels.
Engineer Salah bin Salem Al-Mahajri, Head of the Dams, Aflaj and Protection Walls Department at the South Al Sharqiyah Water Resources Department, noted that the governorate experienced moderate to heavy rainfall, resulting in the flow of valleys across the region and the accumulation of water in dams designated for groundwater recharge and surface storage.
He added that the two dams in the governorate—the flood protection dam in Sur and the Wadi Sal dam in Jaalan Bani Bu Ali—serve as key components in water security, agricultural support, and flood protection for surrounding communities.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, rainfall measurements across the South Al Sharqiyah Governorate between March 20 and 28 showed Sur receiving 207mm , Al Kamil and Al Wafi 172mm , Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan 154mm , and Jaalan Bani Bu Ali 135mm of rainfall, reflecting the significant impact of the recent weather system.
