Oman to Map All Flood-Risk Zones After Major Flash Floods

Oman's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources starts a new project to create updated flood risk maps and emergency plans from 2024 to 2026.

Oman Begins Major Flood Risk Project

Oman's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources (MOAFWR) has initiated a significant project to develop updated flood risk maps and emergency management plans. The project will run from 2024 to 2026 and aims to enhance flood preparedness across the Sultanate.

Project Overview

The project involves hiring a specialized company to create detailed flood risk maps and management strategies. These new maps will update previous data to include current flood plains, risk levels, and affected areas, including main and secondary wadis. The goal is to clearly identify areas at varying levels of flood danger—high, medium, and low.

Three Phases of the Project

Data Analysis (12 Months): The first phase focuses on analyzing rainfall and surface runoff data. This includes assessing hydrological data from rain stations and valleys across all governorates. The team will develop rainfall intensity tables and flood design guides for each area to understand better the relationship between rainfall and runoff.

Flood Mapping (7 Months): In the second phase, flood-risk areas will be mapped using advanced technology. This phase includes analyzing flood risks and their severity, identifying key valley channels, and assessing flood impact during different flood levels.

Emergency Planning (5 Months): The final phase will prepare detailed flood management and emergency plans. This includes creating procedures for flood control based on the risk maps, outlining scenarios for flood events, and making recommendations for emergency responses during extreme weather conditions.

Impact and Benefits

These new maps and plans will support the National Emergency Management Committee in protecting lives and property. They will also guide urban planning to ensure safer construction practices in flood-prone areas. This comprehensive project aims to improve Oman's ability to handle floods and adapt to changing climatic conditions.