Experts inspect Hisban River following bank collapse

AMMAN — A team of experts and geologists are inspecting Hisban River to ensure public safety after part of its bank collapsed last Sunday night, a government official said on Saturday.

The landslide did not cause any injuries or damages, the official at the Ministry of Water and Irrigation said, indicating that the team is investigating the reason of the landslide to repair the damaged part and take preventive measures.

“The cause of the landslide is not precisely identified yet. However, initial investigation showed that the landslide perhaps happened because the soil became too damp following the recent heavy rain,” the official, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, said.

In late April and early May, the Kingdom witnessed a series of unstable weather conditions, which brought unseasonably high temperatures, dusty weather and heavy downpour that caused flashfloods in different parts of the country. Several main streets linking cities and governorates were blocked due to the flashfloods that brought along rocks and dirt, while scores of the country’s main water resources remained shut for a week due to high turbidity levels in the water reaching the treatment plants from wells and dams.

“We are working closely and relentlessly to repair the area to ensure the safety of people and prevent damages, while experts from the national higher committee that inspects the safety of the country’s dams are involved in the process,” the official underlined.

Water Minister Ali Ghezawi and several officials inspected the site the day following the collapse and gave instructions to have it repaired as soon as possible. 

The ministry is very keen on repairing the collapsed part as Hisban River is an important source of irrigation water to farmers and cattle breeders, the official said.

“In spite of the landslide that happened on May 13, the farmers continued receiving their shares of irrigation water from the river. The landslide did not suspend the irrigation of crops in the area,” the official at the ministry noted.

The Hisban River, located in Amman’s western outskirts, provides water to 138 agricultural units stretched over 3,000 dunnums, according to the ministry’s official.

The team of experts said that there are no further safety hazards around the collapsed area, and are expected to submit soon a report on the causes and measures to avoid similar future incidents, according to the government official.