The Ministry of Environment and Water reports that the torrential rains that poured down on the UAE from January 18 to 19, 2014 had different intensity levels ranging from light in the Eastern regions, to medium in the Central regions, and heavy in the Northern regions. The rains yielded large amounts of water which built up on rivers and valleys and which was collected in the lakes of 11 dams and barriers in these regions. An estimated 462,000 cubic meters or 100,000,000 gallons of water were accumulated.

It is worth noting that rains significantly improve irrigation in farms and enhance fertility. They also feed underground water systems through dams and barriers. This enhances and supports the quality and quantity of underground water in the UAE, thus contributing to a successful agricultural season.

The Ministry urges authorities to maintain the safety of dams and water facilities to protect people and facilities in underlying valleys from floods, provide water sources to farms around dams and barriers, and increase the volume of underground water. Dams are also considered tourist attractions, a role played by some of the UAE’s dams that have permanent and abundant amounts of water.