Sa'ada: Governor of Sa'ada, Muhammad Jaber Awad, accompanied by Shura Council member Hadi Al-Hamzi, inspected the progress of work on the Hamzat Lake Project in Sahar District and the Rahban Lake Project in Sa'ada District.
According to Yemen News Agency, Governor Awad and Al-Hamzi were briefed by the Director of the Water Resources and Facilities Authority branch, Engineer Ahmed Al-Jaradi, on the Hamzat Lake Project. The project, with a storage capacity of 120,000 cubic meters, aims to contribute to recharging groundwater in the area and neighboring regions.
The governor highlighted that this initiative is part of a series of efforts by the Authority's branch in the governorate to address the water gap between depletion rates and annual recharge in the Sa'ada water basin. This basin has been experiencing a decline in water levels due to over-extraction of groundwater, largely driven by the expansion of agricultural activity, particularly qat cultivation.
Governor Awad also assessed the progress of the Rahban Lake Project, which boasts a storage capacity exceeding 300,000 cubic meters. The project's first phase was executed by the local authority in coordination with the Water Resources and Facilities Authority branch, while the Central Emergency Intervention Unit undertook the construction works in the second phase.
During his visit, the governor underscored the importance of water reservoir projects that support the Sa'ada water basin. He praised the Water Resources and Facilities Authority branch for their efforts in executing these projects, which play a crucial role in enhancing water supply, supporting agriculture, and ensuring water security.