All relevant authorities in Petra District have completed their preparations to face the upcoming winter season, by setting plans to activate emergency rooms and prepare the necessary equipment, alongside activating an early warning system for flood risks.

The head of the Winter Emergency Committee and Infrastructure Commissioner in Petra Region, Engineer Mohammad Al-Habahbeh, confirmed that the authority is ready with its staff and equipment to deal with any upcoming weather conditions, in addition to activating the early warning system for flood risks.

According to Al-Habahbeh, the warning system predicts floods before they occur, giving concerned parties the opportunity to take necessary measures to face them and reduce potential damages.

He pointed out that the authority has worked on rehabilitating valleys, flood streams, and rainwater drainage channels as part of its preparations for the upcoming winter season.

He added that the authority will soon activate winter emergency rooms and announce contact numbers for immediate communication to receive citizens’ observations related to weather conditions and respond accordingly.

The governor of Petra District, Satam Al-Majali, stated that the district’s administration has set its plan in cooperation with all official and security authorities, and that winter emergency rooms will be opened to deal with developments and weather conditions.

Al-Majali added that preparations included ensuring the readiness of all concerned parties to deal with winter conditions, preparing the necessary equipment and staff, and urging residents living near valleys with tents and livestock to move to safe places.

He noted that emergency teams will conduct continuous field tours during weather conditions to ensure the best and fastest response to any cases or incidents that require it.

The director of public works in the district, Engineer Mahmoud Al-Ziadneh, explained that the public works directorate is ready with its equipment and staff to deal with winter developments, having set its plan to handle road conditions promptly and any weather situation the area might face.

In a related context, the Petra Archaeological Reserve under the Petra Regional Development and Tourism Authority has raised the readiness of its staff to deal with the upcoming winter season, as well as increased preparedness to receive visitors during rainfall periods.

The reserve commissioner for archaeology and tourism, Engineer Yazan Al-Mahadin, confirmed that the authority completed cleaning all interception dams and ensured the readiness of the valley extending from the visitor center towards Siq, in addition to the effectiveness of rainwater drainage networks and interception dams in the upper areas of the region.

Al-Mahadin emphasized that the reserve staff’s work to face winter repercussions will be coordinated and participatory with the main emergency room at the regional authority, the main room at the Petra District administration, and continuous cooperation with the General Directorate of Civil Defense and various security agencies.

He mentioned that a tour was conducted in the 1.3 km long Siq of Petra, where critical points were inspected, and it was ensured that the interception dams were free of silt and soil, guaranteeing their efficient and effective operation.

Meanwhile, many popular groups, hotel and apartment owners, and four-wheel-drive vehicle owners in the city announced their full readiness to support the concerned authorities in implementing the winter emergency plan, protecting the city from weather risks, and providing comfort to visitors coming from all over the world.

Hassan Al-Hasanat, one of the initiators, said these preparations continue the role of ancestors who opened their homes to city guests and visitors, aiming to reflect the best image of tourism reputation in Petra and Jordan and provide necessary services to visitors of the rose city.

Mohammad Al-Nawafleh, a four-wheel-drive vehicle owner, expressed the city’s residents’ readiness to offer their vehicles and be a supporting arm for official authorities in assisting vehicles that may get stuck due to bad weather conditions.