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News Topical, Digital Desk : Hundreds of tourists were evacuated safely due to sudden heavy rains and flash floods in the historic city of Petra in Jordan on Sunday. However, there is no news of anyone being injured during this time.
The local administration informed that the weather suddenly deteriorated on Sunday, due to which tourism activities had to be temporarily stopped.
According to Yazan Mahadin, commissioner of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA), around 1,785 tourists were present in Petra that day. Due to heavy rains and waterlogging, ticket sales were stopped and immediate rescue operations were started.
Safety of tourists is a priority
Footage broadcast on state-run Jordan TV showed how fast waters engulfed valleys and low-lying areas. In one video, tourists gathered near Petra's famous 'The Treasury' building were later evacuated.
PDTRA appealed to the general public to be cautious about the weather, keep away from flood-prone areas and follow the instructions of security agencies. The Meteorological Department also released a video stating that this situation was caused by changing weather, which included heavy rain, cold and strong winds.
Tourism resumed after repair and cleaning
According to Jordan's English newspaper Jordan Times, the situation returned to normal on Monday and tourists resumed their visits to Petra. Yazan Mahdin confirmed that the UNESCO World Heritage Site is now welcoming tourists without any interruption and tourism activities are continuing as normal.
He said that emergency teams and PDTRA staff were already on alert and immediately after the flood situation, work was started to repair the damages, clear the roads and repair essential facilities. Coordination was also maintained with the security forces and civil defense so that any situation could be dealt with quickly.
Historical importance of Petra
Petra is famous for its buildings and temples carved from pink stones. This place was also included in the 'New Seven Wonders of the World' in 2007. In the past years, incidents of rain and floods have increased here, which has had to stop tourists from time to time.
According to PDTRA, the safety of tourists and local residents is their top priority. The authority is working round the clock to ensure a safe and smooth experience for tourists.
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