Atud Dam tops the list of surplus dams in the Kingdom with 10 million cubic meters
Over the past two days, Saudi Arabia has experienced heavy rainfall and flash floods, leading to the filling of numerous dams to their overflow levels. The Atud Dam in the Asir region topped the list of overflowing dams in the Kingdom, recording massive water flows that reached its maximum storage capacity. This prompted the activation of emergency and rapid drainage plans by the relevant authorities to ensure the safety of lives and property and to make optimal use of these precious water resources.
Atud Dam tops the list of dams with the greatest capacity to handle floods.
The General Irrigation Authority has released official figures for dams that have reached their maximum capacity as a result of the recent rainfall across various regions of the Kingdom. The Atud Dam in the Asir region topped the list with a massive storage capacity of 10 million cubic meters, followed by the Al-Hariq Dam in Al-Hariq Governorate with a storage capacity of 6 million cubic meters.
The foundation also clarified that water overflowed into the Al-Ghayl Dam in Al-Aflaj Governorate, which has a capacity of 3 million cubic meters, and the Al-Haddar Dam in the same governorate, with a storage capacity of 800,000 cubic meters. Official statistics indicated that the spillway also extended to the Tamrah Dam in Al-Sulayyil Governorate, with a storage capacity of 470,000 cubic meters, as well as the Amoud Dam in the Jazan region, which has a capacity of 85,000 cubic meters.
Historical and geographical dimensions of water management in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has a long and rich history of dam construction and managing its limited water resources, due to its arid and semi-arid geography. Dams in the Kingdom, particularly in the southern and western regions such as Asir and Jazan, are considered essential for protecting against flash floods and replenishing groundwater.
Over the past decades, the Saudi government has invested heavily in water infrastructure, constructing hundreds of dams with varying storage capacities to collect rainwater for agricultural and drinking purposes, and to reduce water waste. These recent floods underscore the importance of these vital facilities in addressing climate change, which is increasingly leading to unusually heavy rainfall over short periods.
The local and regional impact of dam flooding and achieving water security
The overflow of dams and the resulting flash floods carry significant positive dimensions at both the local and regional levels. Locally, these massive quantities of water contribute to enhancing water and agricultural security, irrigating vast areas of farmland and revitalizing vegetation, thus supporting the "Saudi Green Initiative." They also raise the groundwater level in surrounding wells, which has a positive impact on local communities and farmers.
Regionally, these water strategies enhance the Kingdom’s position as a leading model in water resource management in arid regions, and highlight its high capacity to deal with extreme weather phenomena with high efficiency through modern technology and early warning systems.
Safety and technical operation procedures of the General Irrigation Authority
The General Irrigation Authority confirmed that its specialists are continuing to operate the dams according to approved technical procedures and in direct and ongoing coordination with relevant authorities to ensure full readiness and public safety. These operations include the immediate and carefully planned release of water to accommodate anticipated flows and the removal of silt that could affect the dams' storage capacity in the future.
In closing, the organization issued a strongly worded warning to all citizens and residents to take precautions and stay immediately away from flood channels, drainage sites, dam basins and lakes, in order to avoid any risks that may threaten their safety during this critical period of continuous weather fluctuations.
