Expected polar air mass puts GAM on high alert

AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) on Monday announced a state of maximum alert for Tuesday in light of the Jordan Meteorological Department's (JMD) forecast of a cold air mass. 

The municipality urged the public to contact the hotline numbers 065359970, 065359971 or 0798166789 in the event of emergencies.

GAM also urged citizens to take all necessary precautions during the extreme weather conditions. 

On Monday, the Education Ministry announced that school attendance on Tuesday will be postponed to 9am, delegating the authority to educational directors around the Kingdom to take proper decisions based on the weather conditions in their respective areas to preserve the safety of students and staff, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The Ministry of Public Works announced its readiness to deal with the weather conditions forecast for Tuesday, Petra reported. 

The ministry urged the public to report any emergencies via the following hotlines: Main operation room (0780300633), Amman (0780377291), Irbid (0780377276), Balqa (0780377413), Zarqa (0780377125), Tafileh (0780377160), Aqaba (0780377351), Karak (0780377147), Mafraq (0780377389), Jerash (0780377187), Ajloun (0780377324), Madaba (0780377366), Maan (0780377338) and Petra (0780377398).

The Electricity Distribution Company also announced its cadres’ readiness to address any power outages that may occur while the cold air mass impacts the Kingdom, Petra reported. 

The company’s spokesperson Sami Zawatin urged subscribers and citizens to report any problems by calling the toll-free numbers 080022288 or 065001370. 

The company also prepared emergency rooms which can be reached through the following numbers: Karak (032387219), Tafileh (032241004), Maan (032132308), Wadi Musa (032156050), Aqaba (032012458), Deir Alla (053573111), Azraq (053834753), South Shoneh (053581123) and North Shoneh (026587098), Petra reported.

The Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) on Monday announced its emergency plan to deal with the forecast weather conditions, which it prepared before winter and has been updating continually throughout the season, according to Petra. 

PDTRA urged the public to heed warnings and advice issued by the authorities, to stay home during heavy rainfall and to avoid low-lying areas prone to flash floods. 

A polar air mass is forecast to bring heavy rainfall and thunderstorms to the Kingdom on Tuesday, according to the JMD.

Snowfall is also expected on Tuesday in mountainous areas that are 1,000 metres above sea level, the JMD said on Sunday.