Last week’s precipitation channels 3mcm of water into dams

AMMAN — The Kingdom’s 10 major dams now hold 51 per cent of their total capacity of 325 million cubic metres (mcm), a government official said on Sunday.

As of Sunday morning, the dams held 166mcm, according to Jordan Valley Authority Secretary General Saad Abu Hammour.

“The storage levels at the dams are good for this time of the year and higher than last year. The rainy season is still ongoing and we are hopeful for more rain,” Abu Hammour told The Jordan Times.

During this time last year, the dams held 140mcm, or 43 per cent of their total capacity, 14 per cent less than the same period in 2013, when they stored 186mcm, according to official figures.

Last week, the country was affected by a cold front and a depression, which brought rain and light snow that channelled approximately 3mcm of rainwater into the dams.

Dams are located across the Kingdom, including 10 major dams, more than 143 large ponds to collect floodwater in the desert and over 25 sand dams, according to the Ministry of Water and Irrigation.

The Kingdom’s 10 major dams are: King Talal, Wadi Al Arab, Sharhabil, Kafrein, Wadi Shuaib, Karameh, Tannour, Waleh, Mujib and Wihdeh.

Although expensive to build, dams are vital for the Kingdom to secure its water needs, according to experts.