Dams and associated reservoirs have introduced notable innovations in water resource management. They provide water supply for cities and settlements, harvest and utilize rainfall for irrigating crop fields and urban landscapes near reservoirs, protect communities from flash flood hazards, regulate environmental flow, manage the recharge of underlying aquifers, and generate hydropower. However, in recent years, numerous dam failures have led to loss of life, infrastructure damage, and devastating impacts on economies, societies, and downstream ecosystems.

The purpose of this special issue is to promote knowledge, techniques, and experiences to address the challenges associated with flash floods, dam safety, sustainability, and smart operations, while also considering important hydrological, geotechnical, sedimentological, and other related aspects, particularly in arid regions.

The topics of articles include but are not limited to the following:

1.  Dam Safety and Management

2.  Hydrology, Water, and Sediment Management

3.  Sustainability and Environmental Considerations

4.  Emergency Preparedness and Risk Communication

5.  Climate Change and Its Impacts

6.  Advanced Approaches: Digital Twins, AI, ML, modeling techniques

Guest Editors:

Dr. Mingjie Chen, Water Research Center, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman.

Dr. Mohamed Saber, Water Resources Research Center, Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Japan.

Prof. Sameh Kantoush, Water Resources Research Center, Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Japan.

Dr. Ali Al-Maktoumi, Water Research Center, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman