The Public Viva-Voce Examination for the PhD Dissertation hereto entitled, Vulnerability of Water Resources to Climate Change and Adaptation in Wadi Bana, Yemen, submitted by Miss, Hafedha Ahmed Obaid Almatari, Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Petroleum and Natural Resources, was held on Thursday, 2/7/1446 Hijri corresponding to 02/01/2025. The Viva-Voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Post-Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:

Committee Members Designation University Position

1 Prof. Khalid Mohammad Khanbari Main Supervisor Sana’a University Member
2 Prof. Bassim Al-Khirbash Internal Examiner Sana’a University Chairman
3 Dr. Ghneim Shamsan Nashir External Examiner Al Hudaydah University Member

This dissertation aims to study the surface water runoff in Wadi Bana, groundwater modeling, agricultural water requirements for irrigation both currently and in the future, and the impacts of climate change in Wadi Bana.
The researcher reached several findings, including the following points. First, the surface water runoff in the upper part of Wadi Bana was found to be 263 million cubic meters. Second, the simulated double pumping scenario in the Abyan Delta showed a seawater intrusion of 0.150 m³/s from seawater into the delta. Then, she discovered that, the irrigation priority order in the Abyan Delta is as follows: Cotton, Tomatoes, Groundnuts, Sweet Melon, Maize, Sorghum, and Barley. Cotton and tomatoes are the most water-consuming crops in the Abyan Delta both currently and in the future. Also, she found that Tmax and Tmin were simulated for three future periods: 0.88°C for 2033 2047, 1.38°C for 2053–2067, and 1.54°C for 2073–2087, with a total temperature increase of 3.8°C. The Tmin for the three future periods was 0.68°C for 2033–2047, 1.38°C for 2053–2067, and 1.62°C for 2073–2087, with a total temperature increase of 3.7°C. the annual precipitation is expected to increase by 0.07% during the 2080s.
Finally, the researcher provided a number of recommendations in her dissertation, including data collection and monitoring. Water conservation and management, which refers to a set of activities and strategies aimed at the sustainable use of water, reducing wastage, and ensuring the water needs of individuals, communities, agriculture, and industry are met. Public awareness and stakeholder engagement, which involves enhancing awareness and the active participation of communities, individuals, and relevant groups in adaptation processes for future climate change. Rainwater harvesting systems, which are techniques and practices aimed at collecting and storing rainwater for various purposes such as irrigation, drinking, cleaning, and more. Rainwater harvesting is considered a sustainable and effective solution in areas with water scarcity or challenges in resource availability.
The PhD Dissertation has been examined and is recommended by the Viva-Voce Committee for acceptance and approval. The Candidate was recommended to be awarded the degree of PhD majoring in Hydrogeology.
The defense was attended by faculty members, students, interested attendees, the student’s colleagues, friends, and family members.