Rain channels 1m cubic metres of water to dams in north

AMMAN — Sunday’s rain channelled around a million cubic metres (mcm) of water into the country’s major dams in the north, a government official said Monday.

Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) Secretary General Saad Abu Hammour, as quoted by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, said the northern region received the largest amounts of rain, with around 1 million mcm being channelled into the Wihdeh, Wadi Al Arab and Sharhabil dams.

The northern Jordan Valley witnessed heavy rain on Monday which, accompanied by strong wind, caused 25 electricity poles to fall, according to the Electricity Distribution Company (EDCO).

Local news websites reported cars swept away by flash floods in the Northern Ghor, Irbid, Mafraq and Zarqa.

EDCO’s executive director in the Jordan Valley and the eastern region, Said Obeidat, said powerful winds toppled trees which fell on electricity cables, causing short-lived blackouts in many regions.

Maintenance teams then repaired the damage and restored electricity to 99 per cent of the subscribers, Obeidat told Petra.

Many places in Irbid Governorate had no water as a result of power cuts caused by Monday’s rain, according to Yarmouk Water Company President Mohammad Rababaa.

A slight drop in temperatures is forecast for Tuesday, with relatively cool weather, partly-cloudy to cloudy skies and a chance of rainfall, especially in hilly areas in the northern, central and southeastern regions, according to a statement sent from the Jordan Meteorological Department.

Winds are forecast to be westerly moderate to brisk, the statement added.

Temperatures in Amman are forecast to range between 12°C and 21°C, while they are expected to be between 17°C and 27°C in Aqaba.

The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) said Monday it is still on alert until the effect of the depression eases off.  

The depression, which started affecting the country on Sunday, brought heavy rain accompanied by thunder and hail, causing flash floods and several road accidents. 

GAM urged the public to call 06/5359970 or 06/5359971 in case of emergencies, Petra, reported.