Jordan facing 'one of the worst droughts' in history, a 'critical' situation

The Hashemite kingdom is experiencing a serious environmental emergency and for the experts "the worst is yet to come". Rising temperatures and scarcity of rainfall will negatively affect “crops and water resources”. The three dams have a current capacity equal to one third of the normal volume.

Amman (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Jordan is experiencing "one of the worst droughts" in its history warn environmentalists and climate experts. They add that "the worst is yet to come".

The crisis exacerbates a chronic difficulty given that the Hashemite kingdom is among the nations in the world with the greatest water shortages, both for drinking and for agricultural use. According to the Ministry of the Environment, global warming will make the current situation even more serious.

The country needs about 1.3 billion cubic meters of water per year, but the quantities available today are between 850 and 900 million cubic meters, with the deficit due to low rainfall, global warming, population growth and the new flows of refugees arriving in the country.

Furthermore, for this year the reserves of the three dams of drinking water have reached a critical level of 41 million m3, equal to one third of their normal capacity. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the consumption of drinking water in homes has increased by 10%, because many work from home and lessons are also taught remotely.

The National Climate Change Policy published by the Amman government in recent days states that "the increase in temperatures and less rainfall due to climate change will end up negatively affecting crops and water availability".

• Jordan
• drought
• poverty
• climate crisis
• environment
• development
• water
• agriculture
• plantations