Two children, diver among 11 killed in Jordan flash floods

At least 11 people, including two children and a diver involved in the rescue efforts, were killed in flash floods unleashed by heavy deluge in multiple cities in Jordan on Friday, sources said.

Jordanian army has deployed helicopters and all-terrain vehicles to help with search and rescue operations, according to official report.

“The death toll rose early Saturday, after another body was found in the Madaba region south of the capital of Amman. They said searches for the missing are continuing,” said Jordanian government spokeswoman Jumana Ghuneimat.

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Over 4,000 tourists were forced to flee Petra, the ancient trade hub carved into rose-hued rocks and Jordan’s historic city, as water levels in some areas rose up to 4m, said the sources.

The torrent came two weeks after flash floods triggered by torrential rainfall swept away a bus carrying school children and their teachers in Amman near Dead Sea, killing 21 people. The education and tourism ministers resigned over the Dead Sea flooding.

Suleiman Farajat, the chief administrator in Petra, said the site would remain closed on Saturday, but would likely reopen on Sunday.

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“It’s really, I wouldn’t say scary, but surprising how huge the flood was,” Farajat told to reporters.

The heavy downpour also triggered a state of emergency in the port city of Aqapa, it said.

Meanwhile, the main road connecting the capital with the south of the country was also cut-off due to deluge, said the sources.

(With PTI inputs)