Farmers’ share of water increased by 50,000 cubic metres per day to counter hot spell

AMMAN — The Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) on Sunday increased the amount of irrigation water to farmers to prevent crop damage in light of the current heatwave.

JVA Secretary General Saad Abu Hammour said farmers in the Jordan Valley, where temperatures soared above 43°C over the past few days, started receiving an additional four hours of water pumping.

“We increased water allocations by 50,000 cubic metres per day in the northern part of the Jordan Valley and increased allocations in the central and southern parts by 100,000 cubic metres per day,” Abu Hammour said.

The increase in water allocations seeks to protect trees and crops from damages caused by the hot spell and support the agriculture sector, he noted.

“The agriculture sector, which consumes 456 million cubic metres of water per year, contributes JD1 billion annually to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product... therefore, providing sufficient water amounts and carrying out maintenance to irrigation networks and pumps is a priority,” Abu Hammour underscored.

The government official said the JVA will continue supplying Jordan Valley farmers with additional water for irrigation until the heatwave recedes.

During heatwaves, farmers are advised to irrigate their crops and trees during the early morning or at night, while cattle owners are urged to keep animals inside barns, which should be provided with sufficient water and fodder.

During the hot spell, which is expected to continue until the end of this week, temperatures will be three to four degrees above their annual average of 32°C, according to a meteorologist at the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD).

During this week, daytime temperatures will be 35°C, dropping at night to 22°C-24°C in Amman, and winds will be northwesterly moderate to brisk, raising dust in the badia.