Khaberni - The rainfall quantities that the kingdom has experienced have contributed to raising the level of its water reserves, following six dams being filled to their full storage capacity, totaling approximately 34 million cubic meters.
The current rainy season heralds a relative breakthrough in the water situation for the kingdom, which has 16 water dams spread across various provinces, most of which have recorded good storage percentages. This is likely to alleviate pressure on supply sources during the upcoming summer season.
The Ministry of Water and Irrigation said that it continuously monitors the water flow to the dams and water storage sites in various areas of the kingdom through operation rooms that work around the clock to monitor the levels and ensure the safety of the dam facilities.
It added that the dams which were filled completely until this Tuesday morning, include Mujib Dam with a storage capacity of 25 million cubic meters, Ibn Hammad Dam with a capacity of 4 million cubic meters, Wadi Al-Karak Dam with a capacity of 2 million cubic meters, Wadi Shueib Dam with 1.5 million cubic meters, in addition to Al-Lajoun Dam with 1 million cubic meters, and Sheizum Dam with a storage capacity of about 300,000 cubic meters.
Assistant Secretary-General of the ministry, Omar Salama, stated that the rest of the dams located in various provinces of the kingdom have recorded good storage rates, although we are still at the beginning of the rainy season, expressing hope that the rainfalls will continue over the coming weeks and months, which would positively reflect on national water security.
He added that the amounts of rain that have fallen so far have contributed to boosting groundwater recharge by 3 to 5 percent, which is an important rate at this stage of the season. He explained that the significant water flow in the valleys enhanced the recharge of the groundwater basins and increased their production capacity, in addition to its role in improving biodiversity, supporting vegetation cover, and reducing salinity levels in the soil, especially in agricultural areas, according to Petra.
He affirmed that the dam system in the kingdom is safe and sound, and that technical and engineering monitoring is carried out around the clock using modern tracking systems, pointing out that no technical malfunctions have been recorded in any of the dams, which number a total of 16 located across various parts of the kingdom.
He called to stay away from the watercourses and dams and to not approach or risk being in their vicinity, especially during periods of rainfall and flood flow. He emphasized that public safety remains a top priority.
The total storage capacity of the kingdom’s dams is estimated at 288,128 million cubic meters, and filling a number of dams at this early stage of the season is a positive indicator, enhancing hopes for an improvement in the water situation and alleviating pressure on supply sources during the upcoming summer season.
