To boost water wealth sector and support Omani farmers, the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources (MRMWR) will restore 21 aflaj in four governorates. Speaking to Muscat Daily, an official at the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, said, “The ministry will restore 21 aflaj in four governorates. The ministry has invited interested institutions and companies to participate in the restoration.” 

He added, “The ministry will restore ten aflaj in North Batinah including Falaj al Malhi, Al Sawadi al Alai, Al Qabel in the wilayat of Sohar; Al Khaleeba, Al Asalat in the wilayat of Saham; Lafia, Dhahirah, Al Magagah in Khabourah and Falaj al Hagal in Shinas.” Falaj in Oman is classified into three types: Dawoodi, Gaily and Ainiya, said the official. Six aflaj will also be restored in Dhahirah governorate. “Five of them will be in the wilayat of Ibri: Al Hiyal, Al Mazim, Wateet, Hail al Nakhal, Hail al Meeqa and Falj al Qumaira in Dhank,” said the official. 

Four aflaj will also be restored in South Batinah, such as Abu Thaalab, Al Latal, Al Wusta in Rustaq and Falaj al Zawardi in the wilayat of Wadi Al Ma’awel. The ministry will also restore Falaj Kwil Sabeeh in Buraimi. 

Talking about the maintenance goals, he said, “Aflaj maintenance aims to support the water sector in the sultanate and support farmers. Aflaj are considered one of the major traditional water sources on which the Omanis have depended for irrigation for ages. The aflaj types vary according to the geological and hydrological nature of an area.”  

There are 4,112 aflaj in governorates across the sultanate. 

Meanwhile, 446.14mn m3 of water was produced in the sultanate by the end of 2019, registering an increase of 5.8 per cent compared to same period of 2018, the National Centre for Statistics and Information stated.