AMMAN — The effects of climate
change in Jordan have become undeniable as Jordanians watch torrential rains sweep
through streets and deserts, leading meteorological experts in the Kingdom to
call for infrastructure works to combat the rising phenomenon of flooding, Al-Rai
daily reported.
اضافة اعلان
In recent years, heavy rains have turned
into torrents more and more often, eroding soil, turning streets into rivers,
and flipping vehicles on the Kingdom’s highways, especially in the south, as in
Karak and Wadi Musa last week, where
flooding eroded the land and overturned
buses and vehicles on main roadways.
“Climate change” is no longer just a slogan
— its effects have become evident in Jordan as Civil Defense and Public
Security cadres have trooped through
deep waters to rescue people trapped by the
flooding.
According to the Director of the Jordan
Meteorological Department, Raed Al-Khattab, while the “severe” impact of
climate change is seen worldwide, it particularly affects countries like Jordan
whose geography features limited arable lands, and whose capacities to adapt
are “insufficient”.
Climate change, Khattab said, is exemplified in the recent weather depressions which brought high volumes of precipitation in the form of heavy rainfall.
Climate change, Khattab said, is
exemplified in the recent weather depressions which brought high volumes of
precipitation in the form of heavy rainfall, impeding movement and causing many
losses — especially in light of the limited capacities of the Kingdom’s
infrastructure to offset weather-caused damages.
An amplified impact in JordanHead of the Jordan Society for Human
Development Dr Ahmed Shraideh, who is an expert in environmental sciences and
meteorology, said that the impact of
flash floods is amplified because of
Jordan’s urban sprawl extending into the valleys, the leniency of the
authorities when it comes to preventing the construction of buildings next to
water culverts, and issues associated with licensing such buildings, which are
usually left unregulated.
Shraideh called for updating infrastructure
in areas that are most
vulnerable to flooding, and consulting with experts at
Jordanian universities to address risks associated with inclement weather.
Weather-related disasters also come with a
price tag.
According to a World Bank report on climate
change and disaster risk reduction in Arab countries, Jordan has incurred
economic losses in the range of $29.5 million in the past 30 years due to
natural disasters.
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