Ministerial committee members inspect villages hit by cyclone Shaheen

Al Khabourah: The head and members of the Ministerial Committee tasked with assessing damages resulting from the recent tropical condition (Shaheen)  on Monday went on tour of the operations centre of the national search and rescue team and listened to a detailed account of its mechanism of functioning.

The committee, led by Sultan Salim Al Habsi, Minister of Finance, Chairman of the Committee, conducted a field visit to villages and mountainous areas in the Wilayat of Al Khabourah.

They met citizens whose homes and properties were impacted by the tropical condition. The visit covered Sanaa Bani Ghafir, Wadi Al Hawasna, Wadi Shafan and Wadi Al Sarmi.

Eng. Said Hamoud Al Ma’awali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, said in a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA) and Oman TV that work on the restoration of damaged roads will begin next week in areas of Wadi Al Hawasna, Wadi Bani Omar and other wadis, where seven culverts in Wadi Al Hawasna were re-designed. This is in addition to the opening of roads and diversions from Al Khabourah to Ibri, among other places.

Dr. Laila Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, told ONA and Oman TV that the visit revealed many aspects of development that require the attention of the committee, which will draft joint plans in coordination with government departments concerned.

She added that the Ministry’s assessment teams are in the field—talking to citizens, answering their queries and explaining the needed documents.

The committee is studying plans for the restoration of normalcy to public life. Part of its tasks include working with the Shelter and Relief Sector to lease apartments for citizens who find it difficult to return to their damaged homes.