RO 2.5 million allocated for maintenance of dams and aflaj

MUSCAT: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) has allocated RO 2.535 million for the renovation of two dams and 25 aflaj that were affected by the tropical condition Shaheen in North Al Batinah Governorate. The ministry will float other tenders for maintenance of other aflaj and dams in the affected wilayats.

Engineer Abdullah bin Mohammed al Haddabi, Director-General of Agriculture and Fisheries in North Al Batinah Governorate, told Oman Arabic, sister publication of the Observer, that the directorate-general of agriculture and fisheries in North Al Batinah Governorate has submitted an initial report to the ministry about the damages and losses incurred by farmers, fishermen and animal breeders in the governorate due to the tropical condition Shaheen. The report will be discussed with the ministerial committee tasked with evaluating the damages and losses caused by the tropical condition.

There are 18 field teams currently assessing the damages in the Wilayat of Al Suwaiq and 8 teams in the Wilayat of Al Khaboura. Initial reports show about the losses in the agricultural, fisheries and water resources sectors has been completed while the field survey covered 35 per cent of surveying and field visits in Al Suwaiq and Al Khaboura and more than 95 per cent in the Wilayat of Saham, the official said.

According to the initial evaluation of the losses and damages in North Al Batinah Governorate, 88 per cent of the water sector has been affected with 82 aflaj in three wilayats affected by the tropical condition. Some of these aflaj are currently undergoing maintenance operations.