The Importance of Drainage System in the Sultanate of Oman - Research Paper Example

THE IMPORTANCE OF DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN THE SULTANATE OF OMAN Name Institution Professor Course Date The Importance of Drainage System in the Sultanate of Oman Introduction The Sultanate of Oman is one of the hottest nations in the Middle East, which exceeds the temperature ranges above 45 degrees in the course of the summer. During the construction or designing of the nation, there were no expectations of rains. Nevertheless, the influence and implications of the global warming have been essential in the realisation of several storms, as well as severe rains in the last few years. It is critical to note that the nation focused on the building of drainage systems during the city’s infrastructure developments under the influence of very little exit points for the heavy rains, thus the provision of platform for the floods during the rainy season. Floods contribute to big traffic jams, deaths, casualties, poverty, and vehicle damages costing millions of Rials for the government and insurance companies. In the course of avoiding further issues of problems resulting from the rains, the local authorities are focusing on integrating quick measures to overcome the problem. This is through utilisation of the efficient and effective solutions in relation to remodelling of the current drainage systems, as well as construction of new drainage systems. The purpose of this research is to examine the importance of drainage systems in the case of the Sultanate of Oman. Objectives of the Study The research focused on the attainment of the following objectives: i. To determine the significance of drainage systems in the Sultanate of Oman ii. To evaluate the effectiveness of the drainage systems within the region iii. To examine the limitations or shortcomings of the drainage systems in the Sultanate of Oman iv. To establish potential reasons for the implementation of the drainage systems in the Sultanate of Oman Significance of the Project One of the critical issues in relation to the development of a region is the effective understanding of the implications of water resource. Water is one of the enemies of humanity because water can cause havoc or ruin, as well as destroy property. This calls for adoption and integration of effective and efficient drainage systems with the intention of limiting or reducing negative implications of water resource. In addition, the study will concentrate on improving understanding of the influence and importance of drainage systems with reference to the case of the Sultanate of Oman. Review of Literature Various researchers have focused on the examination of drainage systems and water issues. For instance, Kusky, Robinson, & El-Baz (2005) focused on the assessment of the tertiary-quaternary faulting and uplift in relation to the northern Oman Hajar Mountains. This study was essential in understanding the influence of drainage systems in the course of eliminating or limiting negative implications of floods or water resources under the influence of global warming or climatic change. Norman, Shayya, & Al-Ghafri (1997) focused on the evaluation of Aflaj irrigation and on-farm water management in relation to the context of northern Oman. The paper focused on utilisation of a case study on the water management within the traditional irrigation system in northern Oman. According to the study, there is need for the generalisation of assumptions concerning effectiveness and efficiency of the traditional surface irrigation systems in the course of planning and designing the regional irrigation or drainage development programs. On the other hand, Nasser Al-Rawahi et al, (2014) focused on the evaluation of the effects of changing water availability on land use in the irrigated mountain oases of Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, northern Oman. According to this study, in the last three decades, there has been a rapid or dramatic increase in the agricultural water use and groundwater extraction with the intention of meeting the needs of the rapidly growing population, as well as major changes in the lifestyle. The approach has been essential in triggering the agricultural land-use changes, which continues to experience poor investigation. The objective of the study was to examine the patterns of the short-term land-use changes in the five irrigated mountain oases within the northern section of Oman (Ramsey et al., 2008). Certain researchers and environmental practitioners have focused on the evaluation of human intervention in the control of water for sustainable agricultural development relating to application of technology and management approaches (Al-Rawas & Valeo, 2008). These approaches focus on the provision of appropriate quantities of water for farming, prevention of salinization and waterlogging of the root zone, protection of the land from flooding, and maximisation of the beneficial usage of water under the influence of appropriate allocation, conservation, and reuse (Kale et al., 2010; Al Ghafri et al., 2010). In order to achieve these elements, it is critical for the nations to adopt and implement a framework in relation to economic, social, and environmental constraints within the region of interest. Methodology In the course of developing this research, the focus was on utilisation of semi-structured interview, as well as exploitation of effective review of literature with the intention of understanding the importance of drainage systems in the case of the Sultanate of Oman. The research methodology (semi-structured interview) was vital in integrating ten critical questions in relation to the research question and scope. This qualitative approach was essential in facilitating effective collection of data through critical follow up in accordance with the responses of the research participants. The study focused on the usage of 30 individuals in the course of executing the interviews. Simple random strategy was essential in the selection of the research participant within the case of the Sultanate of Oman. The approach was essential in ensuring that the research participants have informed opinion or perspective in relation to the research question within the research context or setting, as well as scope of the project (Fookes & Lee, 2009). Review of literature was essential in gaining substantial information relating to the scope of the study while focusing on bridging potential gaps from the existing studies or projects. The study focused on the identification of the themes and patterns from the collected data with the intention of developing or documenting appropriate research paper in accordance with the findings from the perspectives of the research participants. Results and Discussion In 2014, more than 90 international, as well as regional experts focused on discussing challenges or issues affecting Oman when it comes to floods and drainage rehabilitation. In this context, experts in flood control, drainage rehabilitation, and dam construction focused on the utilisation of various case studies in relation to the Sultanate prior to illustration of appropriate measures to ensure the safety of the residents (Terken, Frewin, & Indrelid, 2001). The summit focused on highlighting challenges of sewerage existing facilities during the rain events such as ingress of storm water into the sewerage network backing up and overflowing in the lowest point. In addition, surface water continues to carry grit, sand and rubbish into the sewerage network leading to blockages in the network, as well as potential damages to the equipment, and high incoming flow at the pumping station and Sewage Treatment Plants. One of the national entities in the region charged with the integration of appropriate drainage system within the region is Haya Water. The institution has focused on development and incorporation of appropriate strategy, which is essential in monitoring the condition of the sewerage network in a continuous basis under the influence of the CCTV technology. The institution uses the sewers’ conditions to identify rehabilitation and replacement projects inclusive of the rehabilitation of pipelines and replacement of the entire networks (Maizels, 1990). The summit had diverse recommendations on the need to separate surface water and rainwater under the influence of effective and efficient drainage systems to improve the safety and living conditions of the citizens. Oman is an arid region with the average annual rainfall being 100 mm varying from less than 20 mm in the internal desert regions to over 350 mm in the mountain areas. Some of the characteristics of the region relates to the likelihood of rainfall being highly variable in time and space. In addition, floods tend to be damaging, but it is difficult to quantify the influence of floods within the region (Luedeling & Buerkert, 2008). Other characteristics of the region include absence of the base flow, sparsity of the plant cover, high transmission losses, high potential evaporation and evapotranspiration, groundwater recharge, and prevailing of low infiltration rates within the rocky terrain. Rainfall According to the assessment of the research questions and objectives, the research participants focus on identification of four principal mechanisms, which are essential in causing rainfall in the context of Oman. In the first instance, rainfall can develop any time of the year, but mostly during the summer months, thus the aspects of the convective rainstorms. Secondly, there is the mechanism of the cold frontal troughs, which originate over Atlantic Ocean or Mediterranean Sea common during winter and early springs. Thirdly, the research participants focused on highlighting the influence of the onshore monsoon currents. This mechanism occurs between June and September in the form of a drizzle, thus massive influence on the southern part (Dhofar). Finally, the research participants focused on illustration of the influence of the tropical cyclone, which are essential in moving from the Arabian Sea, thus creation of heavy rainfall in the Muscat, Sharqiyah, and Dhofar coastal regions. Importance of Drainage Systems in Oman It is essential to note that Oman associates with thunderstorms, which links with heavy rains to cause flash floods. For instance, on the 4th April 2003, a line of thunderstorms, as well as a rainfall of 82 mm was the record in Bahla within less than 12 hours. The event led to the drowning of around 20 people, as well as sweeping cars, uprooting trees, destroying roads, and damaging electricity and relevant telephone cables. Damages from the flash floods are enormous on both the human lives and the loss or destruction of property. According to the existing reports, flood disasters account for approximately a third of all natural disasters by number and economic losses (Al-Ghafri, 2008). In addition, it is essential to note that floods are responsible for more than half of the deaths in relation to such events or disasters. Integration of the effective and efficient drainage systems in the case of Oman has been essential in the reduction or minimisation of the case of damages from flash floods. From this perspective, reduction in floods relate to improvement in the living conditions and security of the citizens against such natural resources, increased protection to the environment and property, and the eventual longevity of the infrastructures within the nature (Usik et al., 2013). According to the research participants, the drainage systems in Oman have been essential in the realisation of increased crop growth within the region under the influence of irrigation schemes and mechanisms. It is essential to note that drainage is critical for the food, air, water, and warmth, which are critical in the growth and development of the crops. From this perspective, effective and efficient drainage systems have been essential in the improvement and transformation of the perception of the citizens into adoption and incorporation of the art of farming to address the needs and demands. In the same context, drainage systems have been crucial in increasing the crop yield within the region. According to the agricultural practitioners, plants have the tendency of using fertilizers effectively and efficiently in the well-drained soils. Moreover, drainage systems are appropriate for the proper development of the root system, thus enabling plants to draw moisture from the larger volume of soil (Al-Rawas & Valeo, 2010). Farmers within the region have the potentiality of exploiting the drainage systems in Oman to longer their growing seasons, thus the perfect platform for the increase in the food products and services in accordance with the demands and expectations of the citizens. According to the findings of the study, drainage systems in Oman have been essential in controlling soil erosion from the flash floods. When rain falls on the poorly drained waterlogged soils, it has the tendency to run off overland, thus the opportunity to carry soil particles (Luedeling et al, 2005). On the other hand, well-drained soils have substantive capacity to facilitate effective absorption of rainfall and runoff, which might result in the control of erosion from water. In this context, it is critical to note that drainage systems in the region have been critical towards limiting soil damage. This relates to the concept of soil structure, which is essential in understanding the arrangement of the soil particles (Al-Said et el., 2012). Drainage systems have the potentiality of increase or enhancing the soil structure under substantive time. From this perspective, there is minimal likelihood of damage to the soil structure in relation to the implementation of effective and efficient drainage systems. In the long-term, drainage systems will have the opportunity to increase the land value in relation to the increased productivity, as well as capability of the soil. Drainage systems in the case of Oman have been essential in aiding the role, obligation, and commitment of the government towards the achievement of sustainable growth and development. This is through increased protection of the environment, as well as utilisation of the resources effectively and efficiently without jeopardising the needs and expectations of the future generations (Hartley et al., 2010). Moreover, drainage systems contribute to the diversification of the programs and activities of the government through utilisation of the available funds and resources to engage in irrigation farming. Drainage systems have also been essential in the improvement of the beauty of the environment, thus the need to engage in the protection and conservation of the environment in accordance with the demands and expectations of the business entities and citizens (Shammas, 2008). From this perspective, it is essential to note that drainage systems in Oman have been essential in improving the growth and development of the region under the influence of improved living conditions, as well as effective social amenities in the urban areas (Luedeling, Gebauer, & Buerkert, 2008). Nevertheless, there are still issues with the drainage systems within the region, which requires substantive assessment by future researchers. Conclusion Conclusively, the Sultanate of Oman is one of the hottest nations in the Middle East, which exceeds the temperature ranges above 45 degrees in the course of the summer. The purpose of this research was to examine the importance of drainage systems in the case of the Sultanate of Oman. It is critical to note that the nation focused on the building of drainage systems during the city’s infrastructure developments under the influence of very little exit points for the heavy rains, thus the provision of platform for the floods during the rainy season. Floods contribute to big traffic jams, deaths, casualties, poverty, and vehicle damages costing millions of Rials for the government and insurance companies. Integration of the drainage systems in the case of Oman has been essential in the improvement of the environment conditions through improving the soil structure and value while reducing aspects or elements of erosion. Moreover, drainage systems have been essential in the reduction of the floods and implications on the infrastructures and people, thus the perfect opportunity for the achievement of the goals and targets with reference to sustainability development. Similarly, drainage systems have been critical in the improvement of effectiveness and efficiency with reference to adoption and integration of new farming mechanisms. From this perspective, drainage systems prove to be valuable for the growth and development of Oman within the context of the Middle East. Recommendations/Future Scope of the Study From the above research or report project, it is essential to focus on the utilisation of the following recommendations: i. Oman should focus on the adoption and implementation of substantive and significant drainage system framework in consideration of the economic, social, and political implications on the target audiences and infrastructures. ii. In addition, there is need for the instruction to concentrate on the examination the influence of technology in the utilisation of drainage to enable the society improve their living conditions. iii. Finally, Oman should incorporate appropriate approaches and mechanisms to facilitate water harvesting with the intention of reducing implications of water resources in the modern context. In future, researchers should focus on the examination of the benefits or shortcomings of the drainage facilities in the case of Oman with the objective of evaluating the need for more systems to curb potential floods within the nation. This will aid increased understanding of the drainage systems, as well as their implications on the growth and development of the society in pursuit of sustainable development. References 1. Kusky, T., Robinson, C., & El-Baz, F. (2005). Tertiary–Quaternary faulting and uplift in the northern Oman Hajar Mountains. Journal of the Geological Society, 162(5), 871-888. 2. Norman, W. R., Shayya, W. H., Al-Ghafri, A. S., & McCann, I. R. (1997). Aflaj irrigation and on-farm water management in northern Oman. Irrigation and Drainage Systems, 12(1), 35-48. 3. Al-Rawahi, M. N., Brinkmann, K., Schlecht, E., & Buerkert, A. (2014). Effects of changing water availability on land use in irrigated mountain oases of Al Jabal Al Akhdar, northern Oman. DIE ERDE–Journal of the Geographical Society of Berlin, 145(4), 197-211. 4. Maizels, J. (1990). Raised channel systems as indicators of palaeohydrologic change: a case study from Oman. Palaeogeography, palaeoclimatology, palaeoecology, 76(3), 241-277. 5. Terken, J. M. J., Frewin, N. L., & Indrelid, S. L. (2001). Petroleum systems of Oman: Charge timing and risks. AAPG bulletin, 85(10), 1817-1845. 6. Luedeling, E., Nagieb, M., Wichern, F., Brandt, M., Deurer, M., & Buerkert, A. (2005). Drainage, salt leaching and physico-chemical properties of irrigated man-made terrace soils in a mountain oasis of northern Oman. Geoderma, 125(3), 273-285. 7. Al-Rawas, G. A., & Valeo, C. (2010). Relationship between wadi drainage characteristics and peak-flood flows in arid northern Oman. Hydrological Sciences Journal–Journal des Sciences Hydrologiques, 55(3), 377-393. 8. Hartley, A. J., Weissmann, G. S., Nichols, G. J., & Warwick, G. L. (2010). Large distributive fluvial systems: characteristics, distribution, and controls on development. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 80(2), 167-183. 9. Shammas, M. I. (2008). The effectiveness of artificial recharge in combating seawater intrusion in Salalah coastal aquifer, Oman. Environmental geology, 55(1), 191-204. 10. Al‐Said, F. A., Ashfaq, M., Al‐Barhi, M., Hanjra, M. A., & Khan, I. A. (2012). Water productivity of vegetables under modern irrigation methods in Oman. Irrigation and Drainage, 61(4), 477-489. 11. Luedeling, E., Gebauer, J., & Buerkert, A. (2008). Climate change affects traditional high-altitude fruit production systems in Oman. Acknowledgments 6 Summary 7 Deutsche Zusammenfassung 11 Chapter 1: Introduction 17 Chapter 2: Filling the voids in the SRTM elevation model—A TIN-based delta, 91. 12. Usik, V. I., Rose, J. I., Hilbert, Y. H., Van Peer, P., & Marks, A. E. (2013). Nubian Complex reduction strategies in Dhofar, southern Oman. Quaternary International, 300, 244-266. 13. Al-Ghafri, A. S. (2008). Traditional water distribution in Aflaj irrigation systems: case study of Oman. What Makes Traditional Technologies Tick? A Review of Traditional Approaches for Water Management in Drylands, 74. 14. Fookes, P. G., & Lee, E. M. (2009). Desert environments of inland Oman. Geology Today, 25(6), 226-231. 15. Luedeling, E., & Buerkert, A. (2008). Typology of oases in northern Oman based on Landsat and SRTM imagery and geological survey data. Remote Sensing of Environment, 112(3), 1181-1195. 16. Rustum, R., Adeloye, A., & Abdulmajed, I. 1-3 The need and requirements for integrated sustainable Drainage systems in Arab Countries 5. In Recent Papers Published and or Presented at Conferences (p. 20). 17. Ramsey, L. A., Walker, R. T., & Jackson, J. (2008). Fold evolution and drainage development in the Zagros mountains of Fars province, SE Iran. Basin Research, 20(1), 23-48. 18. Al Ghafri, A. S., Prathapar, S. A., McCann, I. R., Norman, W. R., & Powers, D. (2010). Towards Sustainability and Equity in Access to Water: Design and Practices for Aflāj in Oman. 19. Al-Rawas, G. A., & Valeo, C. (2008). Issues with Flash Flood Modelling In the Capital Region of Sultanate of Oman. 20. Kale, V., Achyuthan, H., Jaiswal, M., & Sengupta, S. (2010). Palaeoflood records from upper Kaveri River, southern India: evidence for discrete floods during Holocene. Geochronometria, 37(1), 49-55. Interview Questions 1. How would you describe the climatic conditions of Oman 2. Does global warming or climatic change affect Oman? 3. Does the region suffer from water shortages, floods, and clogging of the soil structure? 4. What mechanisms does the government use to curb such issues? 5. Are these mechanisms effective in addressing the goals and targets? 6. Integration of drainage systems has been ideal in the minimisation of effects of floods in the region, what is your take on the issue? 7. What is the significance of the drainage systems in Oman? 8. Are there negative effectives in association with the drainage systems in Oman? 9. Can technology play a critical role in enhancing effectiveness and efficiency of the drainage systems in Oman? 10. What is the future of the drainage systems in Oman? Read More