Monday 12 / January / 2026
Muscat: More than 300 homes, 24 aflaj networks, and two check dams that were damaged during cyclone Shaheen will be repaired, as part of efforts to restore normalcy in the wake of the disaster.
The decision, which was taken by the Ministerial Committee tasked with assessing the damage caused by Shaheen, will see multiple ministries take on the responsibility of carrying out the reconstruction.
“The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning has been tasked with designing layouts for the construction of 328 houses for citizens whose houses were completely damaged during the climatic condition,” said committee Chairman Sultan Salim Al Habsi, the Minister of Finance.
Speaking to Oman News Agency and Oman TV, Al Habsi added that 80 aflaj and five dams had incurred damage, with a tender issued to repair 24 aflaj and two dams. 157 homes will be built in Suwaiq, 134 in Al Khabourah, and 37 in Saham.
“The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has been tasked with finalising the related procedures,” he said. “The rest of the dams will be repaired as soon as technical procedures are finalised. The ministry has been entrusted to conduct a study for protection dams along the course taken by wadis.”
While repairs are underway, Al Habsi added that “agreements have been made with the authorities concerned to draw up temporary solutions for citizen’s access to their homes in stricken areas, until such time as internal road maintenance has been completed.”
During the meeting, held at the police station in Suwaiq, the committee studied efforts towards the restoration of properties and electricity networks in peoples’ houses, and attempts made to return families to their homes. The efforts have largely been a success, with the exception of some homes, where internal electric circuitry is yet to be repaired.
Other issues looked into were the reopening of main and arterial roads to traffic, and the removal of debris from these areas.
Updates on the current reconstruction efforts were also provided by specialists from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning about the various impacts of the cyclone on properties in the area.
These teams also discussed with the committee their assessment of the stricken homes, while presenting a set of proposals and durable solutions set up to protect the safety of citizens.
Meanwhile, updates on the repair of internal roads were given by a team consisting of members from the Engineering Services Division of the Sultan’s Armed Forces, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, and the municipalities of North and South Al Batinah.
Instructions were issued by the committee to speed up the repair work being done on roads.
Proposals will also be submitted to the concerned authorities regarding reconstruction of roads and culverts, so that they are able in the future to withstand the extent of the damage caused by adverse weather events such as cyclone Shaheen.
Furthermore, all citizens who have lost their documents due to Shaheen will be exempt from the fees required when re-applying for them.
At the conclusion of its meeting, the committee expressed thanks and appreciation for the efforts exerted in different sectors to restore normalcy, in response to the Royal directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik.
