Dead Sea evaporation ‘alarming’ — Dead Sea Friends Association

AMMAN — The evaporation of the Dead Sea has manifold and severe consequences that need to be addressed immediately, according to Zaid Rakkad Sawalqa, the organisational president of the Dead Sea Friends Association.

“The Dead Sea is slipping away at an alarming rate and its shores now lie about 438 metres below sea level,” Sawalqa told The Jordan Times on Monday.

The Dead Sea Friends Association, established in 2014 by only seven original members, focuses on three main channels of action: The environment, tourism and investment in the lowest point on earth, according to Sawalqa. 

The Dead Sea was previously fed by the waters of the Jordan River. Now, the low water inflow, the over-exploitation and overuse of its minerals by industrial projects and increased temperatures, have caused water levels to drop at a rate of 1 metre per year, Sawalqa added.

As the Dead Sea continues to shrink, sinkholes and soil collapses have cropped up, and the area’s agricultural projects have been adversely impacted due to the disappearance of groundwater, Sawalqa noted.  

He added that “the continuing decline only means that the area will not remain the same for long”.

In light of the approaching demise of the Dead Sea, the association has actively engaged in advocacy work, and has launched training sessions on the impact of climate change for local communities in South Shunah, Ghor Al Haditha and Ghor Al Safi, areas which have been impacted by water scarcity and the shrinking Dead Sea.

To stimulate investment and tourism in the area, the association has worked with the Jordan Tourism Board to promote and attract tourism projects. They have also worked with the relevant authorities to introduce environmental investments that have had positive impacts on the environment, he said.

Sawlqa pointed out that the association has also focused on beautifying the due to its status as an important touristic attraction.

“Restorative actions and urgent international attention are required to sustain the waters of this world-renowned natural wonder,” he concluded.