GAM releases report on German-Jordanian project aims to collect heavy rainwater

AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) on Sunday released the outcomes of a final report of a German-Jordanian project aimed at capturing and collecting heavy rainwater in Jordan.

The initiative seeks innovative solutions to collect rainwater during heavy rainfall, mitigating potential disasters caused by flooding, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The project, titled "CapTain Rain – Capture and Retain Heavy Rainfalls in Jordan", encompasses Amman and Petra. It aims to enhance current methods and tools for predicting and preventing floods in Jordan, offering engineering solutions for water collection and drainage. 

This is achieved by analysing the factors driving flash floods in Jordan’s valleys and examining the relationships between climate change, land use changes, and hydraulic engineering measures, the report added.

Amman City Director Ahmed Malkawiemphasised during the report's launch that Amman is increasingly affected by climate change and severe weather phenomena, particularly heavy rainfall and flash floods, which cause significant damage.

Malkawi also highlighted that through fruitful cooperation with the German government and partners from local and international institutions, the CapTain Rain project has bolstered Amman's capacity to understand climate change. 

He added that the city can now manage its negative impacts more efficiently, effectively, and flexibly, striving for a safer and more resilient urban environment.

Roland Kiel, representative from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, underscored that the project exemplifies the cooperation between the Jordanian and German governments.

 He also noted that it will yield positive results for Amman in terms of addressing climate change, achieving sustainable development, and efficiently tackling related challenges.

The project facilitates the development of climate services, including flash flood risk maps, early warning systems, and preventive recommendations for heavy rainfall risks.

It also involves constructing models to develop and evaluate measures for improving risk preparedness, including technologies for diverting and utilising rainwater.

The project, funded by the German federal ministry of education and research and the International Partnership for Sustainable Innovations Programme, was implemented in cooperation with German universities and scientific research institutions specialising in climate disaster studies.

Key partners included the Ministries of Environment, Water and Irrigation, the Greater Amman Municipality, the Petra Development Tourism Regional Authority, and the National Center for Agricultural Research.