Bad weather diverts RJ flight as dust engulfs Aqaba

By JT - Jun 14,2023 - Last updated at Jun 14,2023

AMMAN — A Royal Jordanian (RJ) flight heading to King Hussein International Airport on Tuesday returned to Queen Alia International Airport due to bad and dusty weather in the coastal city of Aqaba, according to Spokesperson of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Fayez Al Fayez.

Although the flight captain waited for additional time for the weather conditions to improve, “severe” sandstorm forced the pilot to return to Amman, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

ASEZA called on the public, mainly the elderly and those with respiratory conditions, to take all precautions and stay away from the sandstorm.

Meanwhile, Director General of the Jordan Maritime Authority (JMA) Numan Saifi said that the warning had been issued for vessels due to high wind and waves.

Saifi noted that the JMA had not issued any statements to halt navigation in the Gulf of Aqaba, rather than issuing warnings to take the necessary precautions under such weather conditions.

He added that small and fishing boats had been warned not to go into the sea for their safety, stressing that these are standard procedures.

Also, Director of the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) Raed Al Khattab said that the dust in the atmosphere is expected to increase gradually, resulting in decreased visibility in many parts of the Kingdom. Zero visibility is expected in some areas, especially in desert and badia regions, he noted.

Khattab added that the weather conditions are expected to gradually turn dusty at night in many regions of the Kingdom, with a chance of scattered showers during the night hours in the eastern regions of the country.

The JMD director noted that during the evening and night, mud rain is expected in some areas, which is forecast to cease Wednesday, noting that there are no indications of significant hail.

The JMD also warned of possible formation of flash floods in valleys and low-lying areas, especially in the Dead Sea area, slippery roads, and low visibility levels due to dust.

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