Oman’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources has issued a tender for consultancy services to design and supervise the construction of drainage channels at the Al-Khawd Recharge Dam, according to a report by Zawya. Issued on September 9, 2024, the tender invites bids from consultancy firms, with submissions due by October 20, 2024.
This initiative is part of a larger effort to mitigate flood risks in the wake of damage caused by Cyclone Gonu. A post-cyclone feasibility study recommended upgrades to the Al-Khawd Recharge Dam and the development of an integrated flood protection system, which includes the construction of drainage channels and three new dams.
The consultancy firms selected will prepare detailed designs, tender documents, and oversee the construction of protective walls and culverts to ensure efficient water flow management.
The finalized designs for the three protection dams are:
- Al Khawd Dam (AK01): A large dam with a capacity of 77 million cubic meters (MCM), designed to control the flow of Wadi Samail and protect Al Khawd village.
- Nafah Dam (NA01): With a capacity of 42.6 MCM, this dam will manage water from Wadi Mansah, a key tributary of Wadi Samail.
- Multaqa Dam (ML01-2): Positioned on Wadi Jaylay, it will store 20 MCM of water.
Several engineering firms, including Renardet SA and Partners, AZD Engineering Consultancy, and Artelia Muscat, have already purchased bid documents. The deadline for purchasing these documents is September 29, 2024.
This project highlights Oman’s dedication to enhancing its water management systems and strengthening its resilience to extreme weather events.