Designs for 328 houses for cylone-hit families
A total of 80 aflaj and 5 dams were affected by the tropical cyclone and a tender was awarded for maintenance work of 24 aflaj and two dams. The rest of the dams will be maintained as soon as the technical aspects are completed
SULTAN BIN SALIM AL HABSI Minister of Finance
MUSCAT: Sultan bin Salim al Habsi, Minister of Finance, chairman of the Ministerial Committee tasked with evaluating the damage caused by the tropical condition Shaheen, said that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning has been assigned to put down the designs for the construction of 328 houses in compensation for families whose houses were totally affected by the tropical condition.
The minister said that a total of 80 aflaj and 5 dams were affected by the tropical condition and a tender was awarded for maintenance work of 24 aflaj and two dams. He added that the rest of the dams will be maintained as soon as the technical aspects have finished.
TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS
Besides, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has been assigned to conduct a study for protection dams of wadis, the minister said adding that an agreement has been reached with the relevant authorities to draw down temporary solutions to enable citizens to reach their homes.
Earlier, Eng Hamad bin Ali al Nazwani, Housing Under-secretary said that the ministry, in conjunction with the departments concerned, formed working teams to identify damages resulting from the tropical cyclone (Shaheen).
In a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA) and Oman TV, he said that the urban planning team is marking the route of wadis (stream) to set standards for the upcoming stage to prevent damages in the future.
SURVEY DAMAGES
The housing under-secretary added that the ministry has formed teams to survey damages incurred to properties and houses in North Al Batinah and South Al Batinah governorates, and to categorise them in terms of total or partial damages, which may pose risk on their residents.
He pointed out that the ministry is exploring appropriate solutions whether by shifting the stricken people to areas far from the damages or areas not hit by the tropical cyclone.