Eight new dams to protect RAK from floods

Ras Al Khaimah - Ministry has completed the design works of the eight dams to be built

The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is to have eight new dams at the Wadi Haqeel.
The move is meant to protect the residents against heavy showers and floods, according to an informed source with the ministry of infrastructure development.
Priority has been given to residents of the areas where there is a flow of water from the mountains, he added.
"The areas close to the sea, most affected by the rains, will be given priority in the new dams."
The ministry has so far completed the design works of the eight dams to be built at the Wadi Haqeel. "However, the ministry is to build three new dams at the Wadi Al Helw in Kalba of Sharjah."
Mohammed Nasser, a resident of Wadi Haqeel, said the new dams will protect people from the floods. "Our houses, located between the mountains and valleys, are more liable to the negative impact of the heavy rain."
"The new dams will help store the water," said Ibrahim Abdulqader, a resident of Wadi Haqeel. "The stored water will be a good source of water for the nearby farms, and will protect them from being flooded as happened in 2013."
Official figures show that up to 94 million gallons of rainwater were stored behind the RAK dams after the last downpour late in January this year.
Mariam Hareb, assistant undersecretary for water resources sector at the ministry, said the wadis or valleys of Twain, Naheela, Al Beeh, Qadaah, Ghalila and Sham in Ras Al Khaimah were flooded with rainwater.
"The large amounts of rainwater reserved behind the reservoirs of the six dams in the northern region of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah were estimated at 425,000 cubic meters or about 94 million gallons."
The RAK department of public works has meanwhile built a number of small bridges on the arterial Shawkah - Al Seji road to help drain rainwater, and ensure water flow under the road.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah