Jordanian authorities evacuated nearly 1,800 tourists from the ancient city of Petra on Sunday, after heavy rains triggered sudden flash floods. The rapid response by civil defense teams averted casualties, effectively managing what could have been a worse crisis.
"Rescue teams from the Petra Regional Authority and the Civil Defense evacuated hundreds of tourists in Petra, without any casualties being reported, after floods affected the archaeological site this afternoon," said Yazan Muhaideen, the Commissioner for the Management of the Reserve and Tourism at the Petra Region Authority.
Muhaideen confirmed that 1,785 tourists were evacuated from Petra, with most being assisted by Civil Defense teams from areas including the Treasury and the Siq. "No injuries were recorded among all the tourists who were evacuated," he added, emphasizing the effectiveness of Jordan's emergency response measures.
Jordan evacuates 1,800 tourists from Petra after flood hitshttps://t.co/HPV06SjdsB pic.twitter.com/EW2H8ZTgb8
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The flooding in Petra occurred suddenly, catching tourists at prominent sites such as the Treasury, one of the site's iconic tombs. Videos released by the Jordan Meteorological Department depicted tourists gathering at the Treasury's entrance shortly before being evacuated. The heavy rainfall was due to the Kingdom being affected by a low atmospheric pressure that particularly impacted its southern regions, leading to the formation of floods in some valleys and low-lying areas, along with a noticeable drop in temperatures and increased wind speed.
The Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) suspended ticket sales from the afternoon as a precautionary measure due to severe weather conditions. The PDTRA urged the population and visitors to avoid risky areas, adhere to issued instructions, and stay away from flood paths and low-lying areas. The authority is monitoring weather developments and raised its preparedness level in anticipation of any emergencies, emphasizing that the safety of visitors and residents remains its top priority.
Similar evacuations have occurred in the past at Petra due to increasing rains and storms, as the region is increasingly subject to intense weather events. In 2018, 12 people died due to flash floods in regions of Jordan, including Petra. According to scientists, heavy rains and extreme weather phenomena have become more frequent and intense due to climate change, increasing the region's vulnerability to such events.
The Public Security Directorate reported that search and rescue teams are dealing with incidents of missing persons in Al-Hasa and Petra, including a mother and her son who are still missing. A spokesperson stated that search and rescue teams were formed in the southern region from the police directorates of Tafila and Petra, the Civil Defense, the Gendarmerie Forces, and the Tourism Police to deal with the reports.
Petra, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, is famous for its temples hewn from rose-pink sandstone cliffs and is one of Jordan's main tourist attractions. In 2007, Petra was designated as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World following a widely participated online vote. Such international acclaim ensures continuous tourist interest in Petra but also places a substantial responsibility on authorities for maintaining the site's safety and preparedness for handling natural calamities.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.