'Heavy rain' expected Sunday; authorities call for taking safety measures

AMMAN — Strong unstable weather conditions will start affecting the Kingdom on Sunday, a meteorologist said on Saturday, as authorities discussed preparations for winter. 

The weather will be relatively cold and partly cloudy, with heavy rain expected to be accompanied by thunder, noted the meteorologist, who requested anonymity.

On Sunday, temperatures are forecast to range between a low of 12°C and a high of 23°C in Amman, according to the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD).

Mercury levels are expected to drop on Monday, and the weather will be relatively cold, with scattered showers expected, the JMD said on its website. 

Temperatures in the capital are forecast to reach a maximum of 20°C and drop to a low of 10°C on Monday, according to the JMD, which said that fog is expected to form in the evening. 

The Public Security Department (PSD) urged the public to be well prepared for the possible severe weather conditions.

In a statement sent to The Jordan Times, the PSD called on people who live in low-lying areas to take preventive measures in case of floods.

The PSD also urged the public not to go out during heavy rain for their own safety, stressing that the department is well prepared for the unstable weather conditions that might affect the Kingdom in the next two days.   

Also on Saturday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour chaired a meeting of the Civil Defence higher council during which discussions addressed the authorities’ preparations for winter, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Commending the performance of security apparatuses and other public departments during last year’s severe weather conditions, Ensour said no major incidents took place due to public vigilance.

The premier urged all concerned apparatuses to coordinate work and organise themselves as soon as possible for winter this year, stressing the need to identify each department’s duties and responsibilities.

He urged electricity companies to take the necessary measures to prevent power cuts during severe weather, stressing that they will be held accountable in case of any shortcomings, Petra reported.

JMD’s forecasts must be as accurate as possible, Ensour said, to enable the public to prepare for any possible emergencies, noting that hospitals, and public and private transport companies also play an important role during winter.

Calling for serving the residents of Palestinian and Syrian refugee camps and protecting them from any difficulties, the premier said the government has a legal and moral responsibility towards refugee communities in the Kingdom.

He said the jurisdiction to decide school and university holidays based on weather conditions should be delegated to education department directors and university presidents early this winter to prevent any accidents.

Interior Minister Hussein Majali, who is president of the Civil Defence higher council, said the council has discussed the shortcomings witnessed during last year’s snowstorm and urged the relevant authorities to take the necessary measures to ensure no interruptions to public services, Petra reported.

Civil Defence Department (CDD) Director Lt. Gen. Talal Kofahi said the department is prepared for any emergencies.

The council also discussed the CDD’s plan for winter, which has been distributed to all concerned public agencies and addresses potential emergencies during winter.