Supervision and Technical Support for Flood Risk Mitigation and Stormwater Drainage Projects – Al-Jouf Region

Al-Jouf Region and its municipalities in particular face a growing need to protect urban communities, road networks, utilities, and public and private property. Some cities and associated centres are exposed to flood flows conveyed from surrounding mountains and high ground, in addition to flash floods caused by thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, with the potential to damage roads, utilities and property, disrupt development and social activity, and threaten the safety of residents and road users.

Against the increasing likelihood of extreme rainfall events associated with climate change, Al-Jouf Municipality, represented by Al-Qurayyat Municipality, initiated a flood-risk mitigation project to protect southern Al-Qurayyat and the villages of Al-Uqailah, and to develop practical, sustainable solutions for stormwater drainage and flood-impact reduction. Radian Engineering Consultants was appointed to provide engineering supervision and technical support services for the project.

This is one of Radian Engineering Consultants’ specialised infrastructure, flood-risk protection and stormwater drainage projects in northern Saudi Arabia. The company provided services to Al-Jouf Municipality to protect southern Al-Qurayyat and the villages of Al-Uqailah from flood risks and to improve the capacity and readiness of the stormwater drainage system and associated infrastructure.

Radian’s scope included specialised technical support to the client in assessing technical matters and issues associated with flood risk, evaluating locations susceptible to water accumulation and flow, and analysing conditions affecting the safety of urban areas, roads and existing utilities. The services also included development of appropriate hydrological and hydraulic solutions, assessment of proposed technical alternatives, and recommendations to mitigate risk and enhance the level of protection.

The study stage included collection and review of available site data, drawings and information; preparation, review and approval of hydrological studies; and verification that their findings reflected site conditions and protection requirements. It also included execution and review of survey and topographic works, verification of levels, work limits and field characteristics, and provision of the data required to review and accurately implement the solutions and drawings during construction.

Radian’s role extended to reviewing the project’s technical aspects, drawings, specifications and documents and confirming their completeness, integration and suitability for site conditions. The review covered proposed solutions for protection structures and stormwater drainage networks and facilities, verification of constructability and alignment with approved studies, identification of conflicts or technical observations that could affect solution performance or construction safety, and submission of appropriate recommendations and remedial measures to the client.

During construction, the company provided site supervision for flood-protection structures and stormwater drainage networks and facilities and monitored contractors’ compliance with approved drawings, specifications and studies. The services also covered monitoring activity sequencing and construction programmes, verifying progress and completed quantities, identifying site issues and constraints, assessing their causes and effects, and recommending corrective actions and technical solutions without compromising project safety or quality.

The quality-control system included inspection of completed works and materials, review of test results and verification of compliance with technical requirements, staged inspection and acceptance, identification of non-conformities, and follow-up of corrective actions through to closure. Radian also monitored implementation of site safety requirements and verified that the works were executed in a manner safeguarding workers, users, property and surrounding infrastructure.

The company’s responsibilities included continuous coordination with Al-Jouf Municipality, contractors and relevant authorities; technical meetings; follow-up of decisions and actions; and provision of technical advice on issues and proposed solutions. They also included preparation of technical and periodic reports presenting work status, progress percentages, completed quantities, test results, quality and safety observations, current constraints and the measures taken to address them.

Radian’s role continued through verification of completion and acceptance, including review of documents, drawings and technical records, follow-up of outstanding-item closure, participation in inspection and acceptance activities, and handover of final records to the client.

The project therefore represented an integrated programme combining hydrological and hydraulic studies, survey verification, site supervision, quality and safety control, management of contracts, quantities and changes, digital documentation and reporting, asset development and beneficial use of floodwater. Together, these measures enhance protection of Al-Qurayyat and the villages of Al-Uqailah and improve the reliability and sustainability of the stormwater drainage system and associated infrastructure.