Public urged to take precautionary measures ahead of expected blizzard

AMMAN — The Civil Defence Department (CDD) on Wednesday urged the public to take precautionary measures as heavy snow and strong winds are forecast for the weekend.

The CDD called on people to stock up on fuel and food ahead of the expected blizzard to avoid venturing out during the inclement weather, to keep children indoors and to secure objects that might be blown away by strong winds.

Advising motorists to stay off the roads during the blizzard, the department urged them to carry out maintenance on their vehicles, replace worn out windshield wipers and exercise extreme caution while driving.

In a statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times, the CDD urged people to call its unified number 911 in case of emergency.

The Kingdom was affected on Wednesday by a polar front and a depression centred over Cyprus that brought rain and light snow to high mountainous areas.

“Another stronger cold front is expected to affect the country on Thursday night; therefore rain and snowfall will become heavier during the night. Snow will fall in areas located 600 metres above sea level and higher, including the eastern and northeastern regions of the Kingdom,” a JMD meteorologist said.

It will be very cold on Thursday with temperatures in Amman reaching a high of 7°C during the day and dropping to zero at night, according to the meteorologist.  Winds will be westerly brisk with strong gusts at times.

Very cold and cloudy weather will prevail on Friday, when more snow is expected in areas located 600 metres above sea level and higher.

“The snowfall will be heavy, especially during the night,” the meteorologist said on condition of anonymity.

Temperatures in the capital will range between 5°C and -1°C, while winds will be northwesterly brisk with strong gusts at times.

The cold weather will continue on Saturday, with more snow expected in areas located 600 metres above sea level and higher, especially in the southern region, the weather forecaster said.

Temperatures in Amman will range between a high of 5°C and a low of -2°C, with northwesterly moderate to brisk winds turning to easterly moderate at night, according to the JMD.

“The snowfall will gradually stop by Saturday evening and the weather will start to stabilise. However, icy roads and frost formation is expected across the country, including the Jordan Valley,” the meteorologist added.

With the expected freezing temperatures, the Agriculture Ministry called on farmers and cattle owners to take precautionary measures.

“Farmers must follow the measures that prevent frost from damaging crops,” Agriculture Ministry Spokesperson Nimer Haddadin told The Jordan Times.

Such measures include warming up greenhouses during the day and closing them at night to preserve heat, according to Haddadin, who added that when temperatures dip to around zero, farmers should burn dry grass near the crops and irrigate them slightly to minimise the impact of frost.

The official advised cattle owners to keep animals, especially newborns, inside barns, and to secure them with water and fodder.

The Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) has placed its personnel and vehicles on standby to address weather-related emergencies, such as floods, JVA Secretary General Saad Abu Hammour said on Wednesday.

“In addition, the JVA will supply farmers with additional water to help minimise the impact of frost on their crops,” Abu Hammour highlighted.

Moreover, the Water Ministry has created a focal emergency centre that will operate around-the-clock during the blizzard.

“Similar emergency rooms were also created in every water directorate across the country to receive and address complaints and make sure that water supply continues smoothly,” Water Ministry Spokesperson Omar Salameh told The Jordan Times.

In addition, the ministry will deploy emergency water and wastewater maintenance teams around vital stations and carriers to immediately address any malfunctions, Salameh said.

The ministry reminded households to insulate their water meters in light of the expected freezing temperatures by wrapping them with burlap or a piece of cloth to protect them from damage.

In addition, any exposed water pipes should be covered with burlap or rock wool to prevent freezing temperatures from damaging them, according Salameh, who noted that subscribers will incur the repair costs if their meters are damaged.

The ministry also urged households to refrain from connecting their drainage pipes to manholes on the street, as the practice places additional pressure on the sewage system and causes manholes to flood.

Salameh said the public can contact the main control centre at the Water Authority of Jordan on 08002214 or 06/5100180.