Weather depression hits Kingdom

AMMAN — The Kingdom on Tuesday witnessed a thunderstorm accompanied with heavy rainfall around noon, especially in northern and central governorates.

Videos from Amman and Zarqa circulated on social media during the thunderstorm. The Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) forecast that unstable weather conditions will continue through Tuesday night.

On Wednesday, the JMD forecast a drop in temperatures, 7-6 degrees below the annual average with cloudy weather and rainfall in the northern and central parts of the Kingdom.

The Electricity Distribution Company on Tuesday said its cadres are spread in all its locations to deal with any malfunctions that could occur during the depression, noting that preparations for the weather conditions are in accordance with vocational health and safety standards, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The company urged its subscribers to contact the free number 080022288 to report any problems, or through 065001370, in addition to its control rooms in Karak (03-2387219), Tafileh (03-2241004), Maan (03-2132308), Wadi Musa (03-2156050), Aqaba (03-2112458), Deir Alla (05-3573111), Southern Shoneh (05-3581123) and Northern Shoneh (02-6587098).

The Ministry of Public Works and Housing also announced a maximum state of emergency on Tuesday, noting that its cadres are available around the Kingdom round-the-clock, Petra reported.

The ministry urged citizens to contact the main control room at 0780300633 in case of emergency, or to contact the rooms in 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).

Authorities announced a state of alert after the JMD predicted unstable weather conditions would start on Tuesday and last for two days.

Following Royal directives, Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Omar Razzaz on Monday directed the concerned entities to take all necessary measures to prepare for the weather depression.

In Amman, temperatures on Wednesday will see a high of 18°C during the day and a low of 11°C at night, while on Thursday, the JMD expects temperatures to rise to 23°C during the day and 14°C at night.

In Aqaba, temperatures are forecast to be between 29°C and 19°C on Wednesday, and 33°C to 22°C on Thursday.