North Al Sharqiyah Governorate completes 90% of aflaj restoration project worth more than OMR2mn

Ibra: The Directorate General of Agriculture and Water Resources in North A’Sharqiyah Governorate is conducting comprehensive restoration of 179 aflaj (man-made water supply channels) to the tune of more than OMR2 million. The project seeks to maintain the sustainability of water resources in the governorate’s Wilayats.

Eng. Hamad Rashid Al Sawai, from the General Directorate of Agriculture and Water Resources in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, said that the project was prompted by the damage suffered by the aflaj following low-pressure systems that prevailed in the area and a tropical depression that hit the governorate last year.

A total of 162 aflaj (about 90% of the total target number) were restored to normal working conditions, as follows: 21 in the Wilayat of Ibra, 19 in the Wilayat of Al Qabil, 17 in the Wilayat of Al Mudhaibi, 78 in the Wilayat of Dima W’Attayeen, 10 in the Wilayat of Bidiyah, 4 in the Wilayat of Sinaw and 30 in the Wilayat of Wadi Bani Khalid.

As many as 571 aflaj exist across the North Al Sharqiyah Governorate. The active aflaj undertake a major role in providing water for irrigation and other purposes.