Muscat – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) has completed maintenance and restoration work of 78 aflaj in North Batinah.

A statement issued by MAFWR said the Directorate General of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in North Batinah Governorate, has completed maintenance and restoration of 78 aflaj spread over several wilayats of the governorate. ‘Work is currently underway to restore 20 more aflaj.’

Mohammed Ali al Isae, head of Dams and Aflaj Department in North Batinah, said, “The department has formed a team to survey aflaj affected by Cyclone Shaheen in the governorate. A tender for maintenance and restoration was launched in October 2021. The job contracts were signed for 98 projects, of which 78 are complete.”

According to Isae, the aflaj projects aim to support farmers and improve irrigation services. “Aflaj are a traditional water source on which Omanis have depended for irrigation for ages. The aflaj types vary according to the geological and hydrological characteristics of an area.”

There are 993 aflaj in the North Batinah, including 408 in Sohar, 277 in Khabourah, 123 in Saham, 76 in Shinas, 73 in Liwa, and 36 in Suwaiq.

Oman has 4,112 aflaj spread over its governorates.