Amman municipality on ‘medium alert’ as heavy rain expected to continue over weekend

AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) announced on Thursday medium alert level in preparation for a depression and a wet air mass, which brought heavy rain and high winds, and were expected to continue over the weekend.

Municipal technical teams were deployed on Thursday near tunnels across the capital to prevent rainwater from obstructing traffic movement; especially that heavy rain was expected during the night, according to Basem Tarawneh, deputy director for districts and environmental affairs at GAM.

“In addition, the municipality, in cooperation with the Jordanian Electric Power Company, has trimmed branches near electricity cables and street light poles to prevent power cuts as strong winds are expected,” Tarawneh noted.

As the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) forecasts wind speed to reach 60-70km per hour on Friday, the municipality and the Civil Defence Department called on residents to fasten all loose objects to prevent them from flying and causing damage.

In addition, contractors are urged to remove sand piles and construction debris to prevent them from washing up with rainwater and clogging drainage manholes.

The capital’s drainage system is ready to manage and discharge rainwater as the municipality has cleared waste caught up in manholes across the capital’s roads, tunnels and streams, Tarawneh noted.

He said a plan has been drafted to deal with weather-related emergencies during winter, under which GAM will deploy technical teams to intersections, main streets, bridges and tunnels when it rains.

People are also advised to call the municipality’s main emergency room on 06/5359971 or 06/5359970 for any weather-related emergencies during the weekend.

Heavy rain in Amman on Thursday caused traffic jams on main streets, with some cars broke down due to the intensity of the downpour exacerbating the congestion.