Aqaba put on flood alert as heavy rains forecast

AMMAN — Heavy rain is forecast over the next two days, including thunder and lightning, and brisk southwesterly winds, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Wednesday.

Temperatures on Thursday will be 26ºC during the day, dropping to 9ºC at night in Amman and 31 ºC to 17 ºC in Aqaba, according to the Jordan Meteorology Department. 

Another slight drop in mercury levels is forecast for Friday, when it will be partly cloudy with scattered showers in northern and central Jordan, with moderate northwesterly winds.

Also on Wednesday, the Public Security Department (PSD) called on motorists to exercise caution while on the Desert Highway due to heavy dust, urging them to take all safety measures and follow traffic rules, Petra reported.

The PSD also urged motorists to comply with highway patrols' instructions units of which are ready for assistance along the road.

Meanwhile, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) announced a state of emergency to deal with the expected unstable weather which could result in flashfloods in the city, 330km south of Amman, according to Petra. 

An official from ASEZA said that an emergency plan has been activated. The plan divides the city into eight zones, in which heavy equipment, personnel and water pumps are available.  

The authority has already implemented various projects to improve the city's infrastructure to be able to cope with heavy rain, at a cost of JD35 million. 

The project included the construction of 10 dams on the city's outskirts to control the flow of water. 

ASEZA called on residents to avoid places at risk of flashfloods, and not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary, adding that people who live near flood-prone areas have been notified of the risks. 

ASEZA's central operation room phone number is 032031122.