Wednesday 22 / July / 2026
Ibri: Thirty-five percent of a project for the maintenance of the falaj system in Al Dhahirah Governorate has been completed.
The project constitutes part of efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources to ensure the sustainability of water resources and consolidate their efficiency in serving the agriculture sector.
The project includes the maintenance and restoration of 15 falaj systems in different wilayats of the governorate.
The tasks include the removal of debris from the course of aflaj, the reconstruction of sidewalls and the implementation of technical and engineering tasks that contribute to the restoration of the irrigation channels in a manner that enhances the flow of water to crops and ensures the sustainable outcome of the farming sector.
Engineer Mubarak bin Salem Al Jabri, Director of the Water Resources Department in Al Dhahirah Governorate, said project teams are implementing the work at an accelerated pace while adhering to approved technical and engineering standards to ensure high-quality execution and achieve the project’s objectives.
Al Jabri explained that the rehabilitation project was launched in response to the damage caused by the Al-Masarrat weather depression, which affected the Sultanate of Oman in March. The severe weather damaged sections of several aflaj channels, irrigation canals and associated infrastructure.
He said the maintenance works will restore the efficiency of the traditional irrigation systems, improve water flow and enhance the sustainability of water resources, while supporting agricultural activities across the governorate.
As part of its broader conservation efforts, the ministry completed maintenance and rehabilitation work on 39 falaj systems in the wilayats of Ibri, Yanqul and Dhank during 2025 under programmes aimed at preserving Oman’s irrigation network. Al Dhahirah is home to 579 aflaj, including 315 active, 126 inactive and 138 extinct systems, highlighting the region’s importance in preserving one of Oman’s most significant cultural and water heritage assets. The aflaj network continues to play a vital role in supporting water security and sustaining the farm sector.
