Rainfall bares shortfalls in drainage systems, infrastructure, say residents

AMMAN — Amid the authorities' continual announcements of making preparations to respond to the expected weather conditions, residents have taken to social media to criticise poor drainage systems and weak infrastructure in the Kingdom. 

Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh directed the ministries and the other relevant authorities to take all necessary measures to increase readiness and maintain coordination to deal with the current weather conditions earlier this week, as reported by the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration Tawfiq Kreishan instructed all relevant authorities in the governorates, districts and municipalities to fully coordinate and cooperate under the supervision and management of administrators.

However, videos of blocked drainage systems and potholes caused by heavy rainfall flooded social media platforms after the country came under the grip of aweather depression.

 “Where are the preparations that we always hear about and the plans for drainage systems that we are promised every winter?” asked Ammar Sqour on Facebook.

“With the heavy rains yesterday, the state of the streets and infrastructure in the capital and the governorates revealed the fragility of the maintenance of streets and infrastructure,” Sqour posted. 

Despite the statements issued from official institutions, such as municipalities, governorates, ministries, and other concerned authorities about plans to respond to inclement weather, Jordan’s streets are flooded by heavy rainfall, Sqour said. 

Amal Smadi also took to social media to comment on the lack of maintenance and poor infrastructure exposed by the current weather conditions. 

“Potholes and pools of water have become dangerous for drivers and pedestrians,” Smadi posted. 

Every winter, heavy rainfall reveals many of the problems that the capital suffers from, especially in terms of streets, infrastructure and drainage, Smadi added. 

“Winter must be preempted by the maintenance of streets, drainage systems and infrastructure, before declaring emergency procedures that cannot be pursued and addressed,” Aziza Khatib posted on social media. 

Heavy rainfall should be a positive thing that promises a good agricultural season, but this rainy season revealed the sagging condition of streets, which indicates the deterioration of infrastructure, Khatib said.