Flood protection
19 March 2008
The government of Oman has approved 39 projects worth around US$ 177 million to modernise roads and water utility infrastructure across the country. The utility projects include construction of a dam to protect against flash floods in Salalah in the Dhofar region, the report said.
Flash foods are common in Oman due to the dry river channels, or wadis, that run down from the country's mountainous regions. At least 49 people were killed when Cyclone Gonu hit Oman's coast in June, causing fooding cross much of the country.
The government also gave the green light for a 515 km road project in the regions of Southern Batinah, North-Southern Sharqiyah and Dakhiliyah, and for the installation of 985 lighting posts in several provinces in the Dakhiliyah region.
