Khaberni - Assistant Secretary-General and Media Spokesperson for the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Omar Salameh, said that the long-term annual rainfall rate in the kingdom is about 8.1 billion cubic meters, clarifying that 80% of the storage capacity in the main dams has been stored this season, with the exception of the Unity Dam. It is expected that storage will improve by the end of the season, which is an excellent rate at this time compared to previous years.
Salameh confirmed in press statements that the last rainy season was one of the excellent seasons, showing that until today 72% of the annual average has been recorded, compared with last year at the same time, which was only 12.8%; which will have an impact on improving groundwater recharge after years of reduced precipitation rates. Additionally, some areas recorded high precipitation rates; in Karak Governorate 98% of the annual rate, in Aqaba Governorate about 199%, in Madaba Governorate about 91%, in Ajloun about 69%, in Zarqa 88 percent, and in Balqa 71 percent, while in Ma'an Governorate about 37 percent and in Jerash Governorate the annual precipitation rate did not exceed 38.5 percent, according to Salameh.
He said that Jordan is one of the countries with high efficiency in rainwater harvesting; Jordan's area is about 89,000 square kilometers, most of it desert lands constituting 92% of the total area, and therefore the precipitation amounts there are less than 200 mm and cannot be harvested due to high evaporation.
He indicated that the Ministry / Jordan Valley Authority, in cooperation with the Jordanian Armed Forces - Arab Army, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and other entities, implemented over the past years more than 630 dams and hafirs in various desert areas with a total capacity of 150 million cubic meters to benefit from any floods in these areas of the kingdom.
Salameh pointed out that there are 16 large major dams with a capacity of 330 million cubic meters, in addition to the rainwater collection wells, agricultural ponds, and agricultural units in which the final storage rate might reach more than 100 - 150 million cubic meters, which means that 70 to 80% of the water quantities that can be obtained in areas with abundant rainfall of more than 200 mm are harvested and stored. He noted that there is a package of upcoming harvest projects and dams.
