The UAE has greenlit a series of water infrastructure projects aimed at improving flood prevention and water collection across the country. The plan, announced on Friday, October 18, includes the construction of new dams and canals in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi, and Fujairah.
As part of the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, nine new dams will be built, while two existing ones will be expanded. In addition, nine new water canals and several embankment barriers are set to be constructed. These projects are designed to collect rainwater and floodwaters, increasing the country’s water reserves with a storage capacity of up to 8 million cubic meters.
The initiative, launched under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and overseen by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, aims to mitigate the impact of rainfall on residential areas and strengthen the nation’s climate resilience. The projects will be completed over the next 19 months and will span 13 locations, including Khor Fakkan and Shis in Sharjah, Masfout in Ajman, and various regions in Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.