Work has begun on the construction of 43 dams in the Northern Emirates to help raise water tables and conserve rainfall. Funded by President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first 28 dams in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah will be built in the next 12 months.

The project will help fresh water levels to be replenished more rapidly by preventing land rainfall from flowing back into the sea. Thirty-seven dams are operational in the UAE, with a total storage capacity of 90 million cubic metres of water, but the new dams will more than double this figure.

Studies for the project's first phase, which is costing Dh250 million, included surveying, mapping and recording areas short of water. According to an official statement, the initiative was monitored closely by Sheikh Zayed even during his recent medical treatment in the U.S.

The statement also says that most of the dams will be constructed using soil and stones, rather than concrete, and will be designed with outlets to relieve water pressure. Measures to prevent potential floodings and protect the surrounding communities will also be taken in the form of further constructions in the immediate dam areas.

Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the President's Private Department, has also taken a leading role by visiting the areas on site, and following the project's progress. A spokesperson for the department, said, "The aim of the project is to collect rainfall and use it to fill reservoirs, as well as diverting it to replenish underground streams.

"For many months, areas in the Northern Emirates have been a cause of concern because of water shortages. The new dams will help raise the water tables and will solve a lot of problems.

"It will mean that farmers and livestock, who have suffered because of the past droughts, will now be able to reach pumpable water. Some wells will also be refilled as a result of the dams, and we expect all the work in the first phase to be finished in 12 months time.

"Work has already started and five contracting companies have been allocated the task of building the dams." Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing will soon start building three new dams near Al Qurrayah village in Fujairah.

Rakkad bin Salem Rakkad, Minister of Public Works and Housing, said they were building three dams in the villages of Safad, Thaib and Murbeh in Fujairah at the personal expense of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

"The three new dams will help protect the area from floods and from losing the excess water which floods some valleys in good winter seasons," said the Minister. He said the dams would also help support the storage of underground water on the East Coast, reduce the salinity of the soil and increase the water level of wells on farms.