Amman, Jan. 6 (Petra) -- Minister of Public Works and Housing Maher Abu Saman said the ministry is continuing to address damage caused by the recent exceptional rainfall in Karak Governorate, underscoring the need for immediate remedial measures to safeguard public safety.

During a meeting with representatives from Karak Governorate, Abu Saman detailed measures targeting roads under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Works and municipalities in Mu'tah, al-Thaniyah, Ghor Numeira, and the town of Iraq. He said interventions should be carried out based on safety priorities, irrespective of administrative boundaries.

Abu Saman said the ministry responded to 220 reports during the recent weather event, covering key road corridors, populated areas, Wadi Shu'aib, and other locations across the Kingdom. He highlighted the importance of formally securing wadi beds to prevent encroachments and mitigate the risk of recurring landslides.

He added that the ministry is operating at full capacity during periods of severe weather, with 110 field teams deployed nationwide, supported by 135 ministry-owned vehicles and 180 leased units. Additional support vehicles are scheduled for procurement in 2026 under the ministry’s approved plan.

The minister directed relevant officials to follow up on observations raised by members of Parliament and to expedite the completion of decentralization projects, school buildings, and health centers within approved timelines across all governorates.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Imad Hijazeen outlined the measures taken following the collapse of a wall adjacent to Karak Castle. He said specialized technical teams have begun documenting, numbering, and collecting the stones for reuse in reconstruction, in line with established archaeological conservation standards.

Hijazeen said coordination is ongoing with the Higher Construction Committee to assess the site and protect the Karak Gate project area from water infiltration. Engineering consultancies have been commissioned to prepare a comprehensive technical assessment of the wall, while legal authorities have been contacted to take the necessary measures related to the implementation of the Karak Gate project.

During the meeting, Karak members of Parliament called for accelerated infrastructure upgrades to meet evolving climate and social challenges. They stressed the need for a strategic framework and clear timelines for delayed projects, particularly in the health sector and on the Kathraba and Sarfa–al-Aghwar roads.

The MPs also called for increased budget allocations for the governorate, improved maintenance of wadis and culverts to prevent future landslides, and stronger oversight mechanisms to ensure quality execution and prevent the misuse of public funds.

In a fieldwork briefing, directors from the Ministry of Public Works presented updates on ongoing projects and future infrastructure and service plans in Karak Governorate. They said work has begun to update the national list of traffic accident hotspots, currently totaling 128 locations, and confirmed the implementation of priority projects in Karak valued at more than JD11 million, with a focus on road safety and lighting.

The directors also highlighted coordination with the Arab Potash Company to reconstruct culverts in the Ghor Numeira area and along the al-Kharza road, aimed at maintaining traffic continuity and enhancing road user safety.

//Petra// AJ