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Wrong date is July 8
The network of hydrological monitoring stations across the Sultanate of Oman is being expanded and modernized to help strengthen the country’s preparedness against two alternating threats: insufficient rainfall on the one hand, and surface runoff during severe weather on the other.
The potential impacts of climate change also necessitate an upgrade of Oman’s integrated network of monitoring stations, according to a senior official.
Inger Ali Beit Saeed, director of the Dhofar Governorate’s Water Resources Department, told Al-Monitor that the Omani government attaches great importance to monitoring and recording rainfall and surface runoff through a network of hydrological monitoring stations throughout the country that is constantly updated and integrated.
He noted that monitoring and recording rainfall and surface runoff is particularly important given the climate change the Sultanate is facing and the scarcity of rainfall in certain seasons.
The hydrological monitoring network under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources consists of several monitoring stations across all governorates in Oman. The rainfall and wadi flow monitoring stations are remotely operated, relying on modern equipment to measure rainfall and wadi flow and instantly send the data to the control center.
En Ali Beit Said said that in Dhofar governorate, the ministry is implementing a project to modernize the water monitoring system. The project will include 57 stations for measuring rainfall and 12 stations for measuring water flow in the valley. These stations will be integrated with the remote monitoring system of Dhofar governorate.
He said a professional team from the water monitoring department was responsible for operating and maintaining the stations, ensuring the accuracy of the data was reviewed and verified.
According to the official, the importance of rainfall and surface runoff monitoring is not limited to understanding rainfall, it also provides numerous benefits to various industries. For example, it enables development projects such as dams, irrigation networks and infrastructure to be properly planned and designed according to Oman’s water needs.
Furthermore, the data helps in assessing the availability of water and its equitable allocation to different uses, including drinking, irrigation and industry.
In addition, monitoring data is used to predict floods and identify vulnerable areas so that necessary measures can be implemented to mitigate their impacts. It is also used to study weather and climate patterns, develop weather forecast models and understand climate change.
Crucially, it also helps to raise public awareness of the importance of conserving water resources and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
“Monitoring and recording rainfall and surface runoff are fundamental pillars for ensuring the security and stability of Oman’s water resources and achieving sustainable development in all sectors,” the official said.
Furthermore, the precise data provided by the hydrological monitoring network enables governments and private entities to make informed decisions that will help build a better future for generations to come, he added.
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