Khaberni - Minister of Local Administration, Walid Al-Masri, said on Tuesday that the rainwater accumulation of 70–80 mm in the central provinces exceeds the capacity of the infrastructure.
Al-Masri added, commenting on the benefit of classifying the weather depression despite the recurrence of the same problems with every depression: "There are hotspots and priorities, and the government will spend more than 20 million dinars to address these hotspots."
He continued: "I would like to remind you that floods happen all over the world and have occurred in Dubai, Qatar, Italy, and Malaysia(...)."
Al-Masri spoke about spending that will amount to more than 20 million dinars to address the hotspots, and next year the same amount will be spent to completely solve the problem.
He added that from the 14th to the 21st, the most significant hotspots will be addressed, noting that the depression will extend to the south.
He emphasized that the rate of rainfall in a short time was very intense in the central provinces (Amman, Balqa, Madaba, and Zarqa), noting the occurrence of some rock and soil collapses, which led to the closure of some culverts.
He mentioned the rise of the Zarqa stream and its flooding onto the surrounding streets, prompting the ministry's teams to close a number of streets to ensure the safety of citizens.
He added that some roads in Zarqa and Russeifa were closed due to the rise in the stream level and its flooding onto the surrounding streets.
The Public Security Directorate renewed the need for caution and vigilance in conjunction with the deepening effect of the weather depression and the accompanying rainfall mixed with snow, and the formation of water pools and floods in some areas.
The Directorate emphasized the need to be cautious and avoid high-speed driving, and to avoid driving through accumulated water to prevent slipping or vehicle breakdown.
It also called for compliance with the instructions of the Public Security officers and road updates from the competent authorities, and to avoid approaching riverbeds or low-lying areas.
The Directorate confirmed that in case of necessity, to call the emergency number 911 to report any incidents or request assistance.
The Meteorological Department warned of the danger of flash floods in valleys and low-lying areas, especially in the north and central parts of the kingdom including the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea areas, in conjunction with the deepening effect of the weather depression and the very cold air mass.
The Meteorological Department also warned of the danger of heavy hail in some areas and the formation of thunderstorms, and of the danger of reduced horizontal visibility due to low-lying clouds touching the ground and fog, especially above the mountainous highlands.
It stressed the need to be cautious of the danger of strong wind speeds in many areas and the strong gusts accompanying them, and from the danger of dust storms and reduced or sometimes zero horizontal visibility in the desert and desert areas, urging caution from the danger of slipping on roads with the start of rain and not risking crossing water accumulations and riverbeds, and securing objects liable to be blown away.
The effect of the weather depression and the very cold air mass deepened on Tuesday, lowering temperatures significantly; the weather will be very cold, cloudy, and rainy in the north and central parts of the kingdom and limited parts of the eastern and southwestern areas.
It is expected that the rains will be heavy at times, especially in the north and central parts of the kingdom, accompanied by thunder and sometimes heavy hail showers, according to the Meteorological Department report.
Sporadic light snow showers mixed with rain began, expected to accumulate to a limited extent, especially over the high southern mountains (Al-Sharah), and prevailing western winds of active speed were accompanied by strong gusts sometimes reaching speeds of (90-80) km/h, leading to the formation of dust storms in the desert and desert areas.
