Posts on Amman floods inundate social media

AMMAN — Social media users on Thursday criticised authorities’ lack of preparedness and the capital’s weak infrastructure after a heavy early morning downpour inundated streets and apartment buildings in the city.

“Amman is drowning. Lack of planning, corruption and reckless motorists. When will all this end? Same scenario every winter?” Tech Savvy (@Jotechie) tweeted.

The flash floods killed three people and wreaked havoc on roads in Amman, which witnessed traffic jams and the closure of underpasses.

Videos of floods that swept several areas in the capital — including downtown Amman, Marj Al Hamam, Abdali, Sweifieh, Rabiah, Wadi Seer — went viral on social media. 

One of the videos shows some cars in front of the Finance Ministry in Abdali being swept away by flood water with a man desperately trying to stop his car from being carried off before it smashes into a bus.

In another video that went viral on Facebook and Twitter, a group of bus passengers is seen standing on top of the vehicle, which is submerged in water at an underpass.

Videos taken in downtown Amman and Wadi Saqra showed heavy floods sweeping away cars and garbage containers. 

The Twittersphere was also inundated with sarcastic, critical jabs at the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) over what users described as the lack of winter preparations. 

“Surprised by the chaos in Amman from the rain? Don’t be. Flooded tunnels, lack of planning and drivers who only care about themselves,” Ramsey George ‏(@ramseygeorge) tweeted as Twitter and Facebook were flooded with pictures of blocked streets and the damage brought on by the heavy rain.

The Arabic hashtag for “Amman is drowning” was trending in Jordan on Twitter on Thursday.

Some photos shared on Facebook showed the International Amman Stadium, and basements and garages of several residential buildings flooded by the heavy rainfall with cars submerged in the water.

“Amman’s streets are flooded every year. Where are the preparations that we always hear about and the plans for drainage systems? Enough with words,” tweeted Noor (@FaresJordan1212). Ibrahim (@ibrahim_tahainy) tweeted: “I am always surprised that the government itself is surprised [about] the unpreparedness of the infrastructure in the country.”

Similarly, Ahmad Hadad (@hadidi_ahmed) wrote: “Things are officially out of the authorities’ control.” 

Some tweeps, however, said the authorities are not to blame for the situation.

“Before we blame the Greater Amman Municipality, let us remember who are the ones that litter the streets, drainage systems and manholes. All of us are not fulfilling our duty properly towards the country,” tweeted Deema Farraj (@Deema22).