Polar front channels 10mcm of water into major dams

AMMAN — Ten million cubic metres (mcm) of water entered the Kingdom’s major dams over the weekend, according to the Ministry of Water and Irrigation.

The dams now store 46.4 per cent of their total capacity, following a polar front that affected the country between Thursday and Sunday, bringing heavy rain and snow to different parts of the Kingdom.

“By Saturday morning, the dams held 151.5mcm of their total capacity of 325mcm,” Water Minister Hazem Nasser said in a statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times.

During this time last year, the major dams held 133mcm of their total capacity, according to a ministry official, who said the recent precipitation not only raised the storage levels but also the quality of water stored in the dams.

Water Ministry figures indicate that the King Talal Dam received the largest quantity of water during the polar front, amounting to 5.6mcm on Friday and Saturday. The northern dam now holds 53.22 mcm, or 70.96 per cent of its total capacity. 

The 16.80mcm Tannour Dam, which currently holds 71 per cent of its total capacity, didn't receive any additional water over the weekend.

Meanwhile, the highest snow accumulation was registered in Ajloun Governorate, 70km northwest of Amman, according to the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD).

“Snow accumulation was the highest in Ras Munif, where it reached 15 centimetres [cm],” JMD Director General Mohammad Samawi told The Jordan Times on Sunday.

In Amman, the highest snow accumulation was registered in the northern suburb of Sweileh at 10cm, while the University of Jordan area received 8cm.

In the southern region, both Arabeh in Karak and Tafileh received 2cm of snow, while 1cm was registered in Shobak.

A rise in temperatures is forecast for Monday, when mercury levels in the capital will range between a high of 11ºC and a low of 4ºC, according to the JMD.

Another slight rise is forecast for Tuesday, when temperatures in Amman will reach a maximum of 12ºC and drop to a minimum of 4ºC, while on Wednesday mercury levels will range between a high of 14ºC and a low of 5ºC.

The JMD issued warnings to the public of expected ice formation as well as frost on Monday night.

Source: Ministry of Water and Irrigation